Col. Dennis Ray Black

Dennis Ray Black, 72, of Denver, NC passed away very peacefully on Thursday December 29, 2022 at his home under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region. The loves of Dennis’ life was Ginger and flying. He referred to Ginger as is “honeybunny,” He loved his wife, Ginger (Bond) Black, very much and she loved him back. She said that he was the best husband a woman could ever have. They thought of themselves as Soul Mates. He and Ginger wintered for three years in Key West upon his retirement from the airlines. Dennis would do anything for his family. He was the oldest of the Black males and he provided leadership in his family. Dennis was highly respected and has a very long line of lifelong friends from both The North Carolina Air National Guard and the airline industry.

Dennis loved flying and he devoted his life to it. He was a commercial airline pilot and he retired from the Air Force Air National Guard, after 38 years of service in 2007, and retained the Colonel rank. He was proud of his service to our country and he encouraged his junior officers, by closely, and enthusiastically, mentoring them. He has many friends in the airline industry. It was difficult for him to retire from the Air National Guard in 2008 and even harder for him to retire from flying commercially in 2015. Overall, Dennis was a man committed to his wife, his family, his country and his profession.

Col (Ret) Dennis R. Black (72), former Commander of the 145th Maintenance Group and Pilot in the 156 Airlift Squadron Flew West at 4:20, Thursday, 29 Dec 22. Col Black joined the NC Air National Guard on 23 Aug 69 in the 145th Maintenance Squadron, after being commissioned as a Pilot in the 156 Airlift Squadron he served and an Aircraft Commander and Flight Commander until his assignment as the 145th Maintenance Group Commander and promotion to Colonel. He retired on 29 Nov 07 after serving over 38 years of faithful and dedicated service.

Dennis was with Atlantis Airlines before Piedmont Airlines hired him March 19, 1984 and he retired from American Airlines in October 2015.

Dennis was a proud member of the Piedmont Silver Eagles.

Dennis the son of the late Kathleen (Merritt) Black and Raymond Alford Black.

Dennis leaves behind his wife of 33 year, Ginger Black, of the home. He loved his two little girls, Maddie and Weewee his little white Maltese. Maddie was his girl. Surviving are his two sons, Jeremy Black of Lowell and Jason Black of Stanley. He also leaves behind his sister Angie Teske and her husband Rob and Davey Black and his wife, Terry. Dennis loved his nieces and nephews. They were special to him and he was very proud of them. His nieces and nephews are Davey Ray Black and his wife Lindsey, Lauren Miller and her husband Jason and Ricky Hager and his wife, Heather. Missing the “Uncle Paw Paw,” are his great nieces and nephews, Noah Miller, Hannah Miller, Carter Black, Eli Black, Peyton Black and Kara Hager.

A service remembering Dennis’ life will be held at 1:00 PM on January 28, 2023 at First Baptist Church, 409 Old Mount Holly Road, Stanley, NC. The family will receive friends for two hours before the service, beginning at 11:00 AM, at the church. The United States Air Force and The Gaston County Honor Guard will provide full military honors for Colonel Black. A reception will immediately follow the memorial service in the church's fellowship hall. The family encourages all to participate in the reception and use it as a time to tell stories about Dennis and to reflect on the impact he had on so many lives.

The family welcomes flowers. If you would like to donate in memory of Dennis the family, suggest that donations be made in Dennis’ memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Tunnels to Towers Project, 2361 Hyland Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or www.t2t.org.

Fond memories of Dennis and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomestanley.com.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home in Stanley is honored to serve the Black Family.