Coach Bob Black

A native of Knoxville, Coach Black was born in the Oakwood Lincoln Park neighborhood and graduated from Fulton High School in 1960, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Brenda Thornton. He went on to attend Carson-Newman University, where he was named an All-American football player, before returning to Fulton to coach in 1965.

For over 50 years, he served as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Fulton High School. His investment there is permanently marked on the football field, which was renamed the Bob Black Field in 1986, but it is also permanently marked in the hearts and lives of the thousands of young people he influenced over the course of his career. Among countless other honors and awards, Black was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2008, the Fulton Wall of Fame in 2009, and the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. In spite of these tremendous accomplishments, he displayed constant humility, always desiring to use any recognition as an opportunity to point others to Jesus.

Apart from his faith and his family, the single most defining thing about Bob Black was his investment in young people. Fulton High School provided one place for him to live that out, but it was also displayed through his service as the General Manager of Alice Bell Pool, a role he held for nearly fifty years; a member of the “chain crew” for the University of Tennessee at Neyland Stadium; an umpire for both TSSAA and SEC sports; three decades as a YoungLife leader, as well as leadership roles with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a Sunday School teacher.

When someone lives such a great story, freely giving themselves away for the sake of others, it is impossible to capture it all in an obituary. A neighborhood and entire community in North Knoxville is different – and better – because of the way Coach Black lived, but more importantly, eternity will be different because of his influence.

Coach Black was preceded in death by parents, George and Ruth Black; brother, Joe Black; daughter, Kristi Black Walker; and granddaughter, Brooke Crass.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Brenda Black; children DeAngela Black, Rob Black (Michelle), and Kelley Black Seymour (Brent); grandchildren, Brittnee Emmert (Jay), Myka Walker, Hannah Walker (Joe), Taylor Walker, Makaley Black, Makenna Black, Gage Seymour (Abbey), Kaden Seymour, Cruze Seymour, and Boston Seymour; great grandchildren, Landon Lightfoot, Jaidyn Kimber, Harlyn Kimber, Bennett Emmert, and Harper Seymour; sister, Becky Hutton (Dave); and many nieces, nephews, friends, and the entire Fulton Falcon Family.

The family will receive friends Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00PM at the Fulton High School Auditorium at 2509 N. Broadway Street in Knoxville, TN 37917. The funeral service will follow at 7PM with Pastor Tim Parker officiating and eulogies to be offered by Steve Diggs and Jody Wright. Family and friends will meet at 12:45PM Sunday, August 20, 2023 for the 1:00PM graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, 3500 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, 37918.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fulton High School “Athletics” and can be mailed to Fulton High School at 2509 N. Broadway, Knoxville, 37917.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Black family.