Douglas Malcolm Black

Douglas M. Black, USMC, Retired, age 72, of Salisbury, passed peacefully at home with his family surrounding him, Friday, December 14, 2018. Born on May 28, 1946 in Boise, Idaho, he was the son of the late Melville F. Black and Helen B. Beckerson Black. A native of Boise, Idaho, Doug spent his formative years in Indiana and Illinois, attending undergraduate school at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. After college, he volunteered for service in Viet Nam with the United States Marine Corps. His Marine Corps association lasted for 30 years, and he attained the rank of Colonel. The majority of those years were spent with front-line units, based out of North Carolina, California, and Japan. His combat ready deployments took him to 28 countries from Norway to Korea. Doug received his Master’s Degree in International Relations while assigned to the Headquarters U.S. European Command in West Germany in 1984. The final years of his military career were spent in Washington, D.C. where he served as Director for Intelligence and Communications for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and later as Director for a similar posting on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff. Following his service career, he was associated with Boeing and Sprint, managing Internet operations for U.S Government organizations and AOL. After retiring from business in 2001, he and his wife relocated to Salisbury, NC where he was associated with Historic Salisbury Foundation, Inc. in a volunteer capacity to support the restoration of historic homes and neighborhood revitalization. His numerous contributions included restoration and maintenance of the HSF Depot, Grimes Mill, the Blackmer House, the Old Town Well, the Hall House, and many other historic structures. Doug received the Clement Cup, the Foundation’s highest award, in 2012. He also received the Volunteer of the Year award twice, and in 2016 the award was renamed the Doug Black Volunteer of the Year Award in his honor. He served as a docent at the Hall House, as Vice President and President of the Foundation, and is a Trustee Emeritus. Doug was also involved in creating the Rowan County History Class, a Neighborhood Watch Program for Fulton Heights Neighborhood Association, and assisted with many community programs, such as Block Works. He was a professional volunteer. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 50 years, Leslie A. Black; five sons, Christian Black (Nancy) of Elk Grove, CA, Richard Black (Naomi) of Salem, WI, Daniel Black (Blair) of Charlotte, NC, Michael Black (Jennifer) of Concord, NC and Jonathan Black (Jennifer) of Jamestown, NC. He further leaves behind six grandsons; three granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Rodney Black (Diane) of Indianapolis, IN; lots of nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Doug’s life will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Historic Salisbury Foundation Depot at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 PM - 1:45PM. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Historic Salisbury Foundation, Rowan County Museum, or Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary. Summersett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Black family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Douglas Malcolm Black

May 28, 1946 - December 14, 2018