James "Jim" Black

James D Black

MSGT USAF Retired

James "Jim" Black, 85, of Inverness, Florida passed away on November 13, 2021.
Jim served in the US Navy from 1955 to 1959. When he left the Navy he returned to his hometown in Wisconsin where he met Ida Maye Serley on a blind date. They married in September of 1960 and started their new life and family together. Jim joined the USAF in 1961 and retired in 1980.  Jim and Ida along with the kids and family dog loved travelling to their new base every few years. After his retirement Jim and Ida spent 15 years in Washington and Oregon. In 1996 they moved to Inverness where he took on an active role in VFW 4337. He served in many positions including chairman of the house committee and commander of the Honor Guard.
Jim loved taking summers off with Ida and the family dog to travel the US visiting family and friends logging thousands of miles and hundreds of fantastic memories every year.
Jim is survived by his wife and love of his life Ida Maye, his son Brian Black, his daughters Brenda Black, Becky Knapp (Laury), Barbie Austin and Bernadette Sellers (Brad). His 6 grandchildren Doug Austin, Justin Austin, Corey Knapp (Leah), Tatum Gildersleeve (Matt), Ethan Sellers, Nathan Black and one great grandson CJ Knapp. He has many loving cousins, nieces and nephews across the US as well.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gordon Black and Gladys (Espeseth) Black and his 3 sisters Donna, Gloria and Wanda.
His service will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Tuesday December 7, 2021 at 2:30 PM.  A Celebration of Life will be held at VFW Post 4337 in Inverness at 4:00 PM.