Edwin Ray Black

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hico the Hico FFA, the Hico United Care or the Hico Fire Department. Services are 5:30 pm, Thursday January 16, 2020 at First Baptist Church, Hico, Texas with a Celebration of Life luncheon and fellowship following the service from 6-8pm. Graveside service 2:00 pm, Friday January 17, at Black Family Cemetery, Hico, Texas. Edwin Ray Black, age 73 of Hico, Texas, passed away on January 13, 2020 after a brief illness, at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. This world has lost a good man, a good father, a good grandfather, and a good friend of so many who knew him. Edwin was born the second oldest of the six children of Ed and Kay Black, on September 3, 1946 in Cleburne, Texas. The family moved to Hico when Edwin was three years old. Edwin graduated from Hico High School in 1965. After graduation he left to do oil field work in Crane, Texas, then worked at General Dynamics from 1967-1970. After leaving General Dynamics, he was a foreman at the Golightly Ranch in Hico, Texas from 1970-1978. After leaving the ranch he went into the feed business, opening Black’s Feed Mill. Edwin operated the feed store for many years, where he was well known for his knowledge of feed, as well as how well he took care of his customers. The feed store was more than a business, it was also a place where people caught up on the local news. On a daily basis, folks would stop by just to visit. Many local citizens said they could get a great deal of wisdom from sitting around the feed store. Edwin had three children: Christi, Clay, and Kevin. He was very proud of his family, and never passed up the opportunity to tell people about their accomplishments---such as his father’s service in World War II, his hard-working and loving mother, and his children’s success and their career choices. He loved his grandchildren, as well as any children that he knew and met. Edwin loved agricultural life and had a passion for cattle, good horses, and rodeoing. Many times, he could look at a horse that was being led off by halter and determine if it would make a good one. Through the years he bought many good horses, keeping a few around to rope off of. Above all, Edwin loved life, his family, and people. He was very generous and helped many people over the years. When people had a need and Edwin knew about it, they were taken care of. No telling how many times he pulled money out of his front shirt pocket and gave to people in need. Edwin and his family and friends also hauled and handed out county commodities in the Hico area, yet again just another way to help people. Someone once said, “If Edwin has money, everyone has money”. Preceding Edwin in death was his father, Ed Black, and sister, Edwina Rackley. He is survived by his mother, Kay Black; sister, Elizabeth Bryan and husband Rick of Hamilton, Texas; sister, Eldina Stearns of Santa Ana, Texas; brother, Eldon Black and wife Verna of Hamilton, Texas; and brother, Kenneth Black and wife Melanie of Hico, Texas. Also surviving Edwin are his daughter, Christi Black Holt and husband Cliff of Hico, Texas; son, Clay Black of Hico, Texas; and son, Kevin Black and wife Chrisha of Kermit, Texas. Also surviving Edwin is lifelong friend, Charlotte Mason. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Bryson Holt and fiancé Ashley McLean, Grayson Holt, Larson Holt, Kristin Holt, Christian Holt, Christopher Holt, Sam Black, KC Black, Dawson Black, Preslee Black, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Edwin Ray Black

September 3, 1946 - January 13, 2020