Kenneth Black

Kenneth L. Black of Mountain Home passed away peacefully on his 82nd birthday, Nov. 16, 2015. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.

He was born in Burley, Idaho, to William Lee Black and Rachel Clark Black. He grew up in the Burley area until they moved to Mountain Home in 1940.

Ken spent many hours during his youth in his beloved mountains around the Featherville area helping his father with numerous Fish and Game projects. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was able to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies, big game hunting.

After two years in Alaska, he was reassigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base where he finished out his tour of duty. He then went on to attend BYU.

While there, he met the love of his life, Karren (Kay). They were married on April 22, 1960. He often referred to her "as the best thing that ever happened to him."

He received his Bachelor of Science from BYU and his Master of Science in Education from Eastern Oregon College. Ken taught in Grandview, for nine years. He helped coach football, taught drivers education and with the help of some of him students created a specimen collection that he was very proud of.

In 1970, he accepted the position of superintendent of schools for the Hagerman School District. There, he spent 23 years serving the students and community of the Hagerman Valley. Upon retirement in 1993, Ken and his wife moved to Mountain Home where he completed his education career by teaching science classes at the base for Parks College.

During his retirement years, he continued his love for the outdoors spending many hours hunting and fishing near their cabin in Featherville. The cabin was a family gathering place where he taught his grandkids to enjoy the outdoors. His pride and joy was his family, and he loved them very much.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karren (Kay); daughters Kerri (Greg) and Kathy (Larry); grandchildren Kristopher (Elise), Rachael (Mark), Kyle (Melissa), Mitch and Kevin (Christina); and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Frank (Jo), Sherin, Janis, Teresa (Jim), Betty (Gig) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Lyle and wife and two brothers in-law.

Dad touched many lives through the years and was often referred to as "Uncle Kenny."

We would like to thank Dr. Norman Zucherman, Dr. Starkey and his nurses Brenda and Darla and the wonderful staff at Horizon Home Health and Hospice. A special thank you to nurses Kathy, Betsy and Dawn.

Donations can be made in Ken's name to the Boise Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1494, Boise, ID 83701, or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.