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Skip Black

March 9, 1944 - July 9, 2014
Bangor, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Saugatuck.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

SHJYL Mailing Address: South Haven JYL
P.O. Box 862
South Haven, MI 49090
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a lifelong love for baseball and a passion for yacht racing, Florus “Skip” Black III was a man of routine who loved to laugh. He enjoyed things like westerns and watching the Tigers, and he was also a Frank Sinatra fanatic. Life was not always easy for Skip, and he often didn’t make life around him easy for others either, but he was blessed to receive superb care and find a bit of contentment during the last seven years of his life. As someone who lived an active life for as long as he was able, he filled his days with as many of his interests as he could. Skip’s loved ones will forever remember the positive memories they created together.

The first half of the 1940s was greatly defined by WWII. Although the war had been gaining momentum since the late 1930s, it wasn’t until the attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was left with no choice but to declare war the very next day. Countless young servicemen and women were sent overseas while those who remained stateside planted victory gardens, dealt with rationing on several everyday goods, and gathered around radios patiently waiting for the latest news from the front lines. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1944 that brought great excitement into the lives of a young couple, Florus R. and Janice Black II, as they were blessed with the birth of the baby boy they named Florus R. III on March 9th. He was one of three children in his family and was raised in the family home alongside his sister, Shirley, and his brother, Robert.

After graduating from Portage High School in 1962, Skip went on to West Michigan University graduating with a bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. He also graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with a degree in criminal justice in 1973. With his education behind him Skip spent several years working as a probation officer in the Kalamazoo County court system.

Skip was a man of many interests during his earlier years. He had a lifelong love for baseball and played the game while growing up. With dreams of making it in the big leagues, Skip tried out for the Detroit Tigers. Although this dream didn’t come to fruition, Skip was a lifelong Tigers fan. He also had a love for the water, and in 1970, he became the 100th lifetime member of the International Star Class Racing Association. As skipper of his yacht, “Jet” it was his passion for yacht racing that was the basis for his nickname of Skip.

Throughout his life Skip had several things that he loved. He was a music enthusiast and an avid Frank Sinatra fan who could sing any and every one of his songs at the drop of a hat despite not being able to carry a tune in the slightest. When it came to eating Skip was not picky as he ate everything and loved it all. It comes as no surprise that one of his favorite things to eat was classic baseball hotdogs,followed by a purple lollipop. Skip also enjoyed a good scotch and Stroh’s beer. His favorite TV show and movies were American Westerns.

Although it is unknown what exactly happened, Skip did suffer a nervous breakdown and spent his later years living in adult foster care facilities. Skip’s last seven years were spent at Cornerstone in Bangor where he was tenderly cared for by Hillary Mahone, Evin Hart, Jaron Burton, Jim Turman, Norma Bilbo, Daniel Harter, Khaliah McCoy, Kimosha Allen, and a host of other dedicated staff members. He was aware of the events of his life, but he was unable to articulate these memories and recollections. Skip found comfort in routines and did primarily the same things every day. He did enjoy sitting in his rocker outside, perhaps because of his love for the water and intuitiveness when it came to being outside from his days spent sailing. Skip could often be found out in his chair, just talking. Skip was raised Catholic, so it was not uncommon to hear him reciting his Rosary.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Florus R Black III was a free spirit with an ever-present sense of adventure. He was a dedicated worker for as long as he was able and committed to giving everything his all. Skip will be truly missed.

Florus R. Black III, of Bangor, died on July 9, 2014. Skip’s family includes his sister, Shirley (Andy) Cigler; brother, Robert Black; and many nieces and nephews. Learn more about Skip and visit with his family and friends on Wednesday, July 16th from 10-11 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler & Thompson – Paw Paw; 60900 M-40 Highway (657-3870) where services will be held at 11 a.m. Interment Riverside Cemetery, Saugatuck. Please visit Skip’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of him and sign his online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to South Haven Junior Youth League (SHJYL).

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