James William Black, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Mr. Black died Friday, April 1, 2005, at his home.

He was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Harlan, Ky., the son of Oscar Thomas and Effie Ellen Lee Black. He graduated magna cum laude from Kansas University in 1950, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, Beta Gamma Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Psi.

Mr. Black served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an LCM coxswain and was awarded a commendation as the first soldier to score 100 on the U.S. Army Navigation Exam. He worked at Owens-Corning Fiberglass in Kansas City, Kan., and was treasurer and CFO of Kansas Color Press in Lawrence, Kan., where he became general manager.

He purchased American Press in Columbia, Mo., in 1969. He was chosen as CEO of Simplicity Pattern Corp. in Niles, Mich., in 1976. He and his son Tom started Southeastern Packaging Inc. in Kennesaw, Ga. He retired in 2002. He was a member of boards of the United Way, Salvation Army, Kiwanis Club and Rotary International. He was a member of Palms Presbyterian Church, Ponte Vedra Club, the Churchmen, and an honorary member of the Gideon’s Society.

Mr. Black married Sarah Underwood in 1950, in Lawrence. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include a son, James Thomas, Marietta, Ga.; two daughters, Karen Black Merriam, Marietta, Ga., and Susan Black Kogan, Long Grove, Ill.; a brother, Charles T., Wilmington, Del.; and six grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 15, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach.

The family suggests memorials to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville FL 32257.

Online condolences may be sent at www.MEM.com.