James Arthur Black

James Arthur Black Sr., of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving children and family. Jim was born to Peggy Jo and Leo Black Sr. on April 19, 1950 in Kingman, Arizona and was the second of seven children. As a child, Jim was quiet, imaginative and independent. He enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing, riding bikes and swimming. At 13, Jim’s mother gave him a Sears Silverstone guitar and from that point on, music became his passion. As a teen, Jim loved playing bass guitar and singing in a band “No Room at the Inn” performing at high school dances and local venues. Jim graduated from Mojave County Union High School in 1968.

As a young man, Jim was a hard worker. His jobs included fireman, landscaper and operating the family-owned A&W store, to name a few. After having lived in Arizona, California and Florida, Jim moved to Las Vegas in the mid 70’s, lived with his brothers and began working construction. He enjoyed the work so much, it led him to get his contractor’s license and in 1981, he founded J.A. Black Construction. Along with his brothers, J.A. Black Construction went on to build over 3500 Rock Springs condominiums and 350 Red Rock Heights single family residences in the Las Vegas valley. Additionally, J.A. Black Construction built numerous shopping centers, commercial buildings, airplane hangars and built the Virgin River Hotel in Mesquite, Nevada, which the brothers owned and operated along with the Casablanca and Oasis hotel/casinos.

In 1980, Jim met his one true love, Charmaine. She was his “brown eyed girl” with beautiful blue eyes. Charmaine was an executive secretary at Valley Bank when they met, and he soon made her his June bride. The wedding was a double ceremony along with his brother Mike and his bride Lori at the historic Little Chapel of the West on the Las Vegas Strip.

Not a day went by, in their 42-year marriage where Jim didn’t say to Charmaine, “You’re very beautiful”. Her response was, “You’re beautiful, too”.

Together, Jim and Charmaine lived a wonderful life. When not in Las Vegas, they loved to spend time on their ranch in Cortez, Colorado and on their fishing and sailing boats in San Diego, California. In addition, Jim loved the traditional, beer drinking, male family member only, quail hunting trip that took place at his ranch in Valentine, Arizona every year over many decades.

Jim was an amazing family man. He watched his four children grow and have families of their own. He was incredibly proud, and he deeply loved every member of his large family. To his younger family members, he was a teacher, friend and constant support. He took them to the beach, white water rafting and to the Indian ruins in Colorado. He taught them how to hunt, fish and play the guitar. To his siblings, he was a visionary, a mentor, and was “the leader of the band”. To his colleagues, he was a marvel and to his wife, Charmaine…he was the world.

Above notoriety, Jim preferred the loyalty of his family and in turn was profoundly dedicated to all of them.

For those who were touched by Jim Black, the sight of a cowboy hat, a Coors light beer and the sounds of a guitar will forever be a reminder of the incredible man he was. He would often say in jest, “I’m glad you got to see me”. For anyone who knew him, the blessing was getting to see him.

Jim had an extraordinary intellect. He was a connoisseur of history, a self-taught engineer and had an incredible thirst for knowledge. As an investor, Jim had a passion for research, the study of economics and the stock market. In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the US exchanges, individual stocks and studying the CEOs of publicly traded companies, he followed the foreign exchanges, futures and commodities. He greatly enjoyed the art of investing.

Jim was a conservative American patriot and closely followed politics. His knowledge of history, law and the political world shaped his unwavering core beliefs. This passion transcended and permeated those near to him as his deep understanding was compelling.

In Jim’s leisure time, when not studying economics, history or politics, he would watch old Western movies. He loved the classic black and white films of yesteryear and would watch them repeatedly.

Jim Black will be immensely missed by his large family and all who knew him. He left an imprint on the lives he touched through music, humor, laughter and love. He made a difference in the lives of those near and dear to him and it is hard to imagine life without his presence.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 42 years, Charmaine “Shermie”, his 4 children Jimmy Jr. (Mariana), Michael (Heidi), Tabetha (Jessica), Alicia (Steve), his 9 grandchildren Tiffany (Alex), Karissa, Baylee (Bret), Taylor (Teryn), Bradon, Preston, Ryder, Victoria, and Bentley, his 4 great grandchildren Blakely, Brody, Booker and Banks, his 5 siblings, Leo (Wendie), Randy (Kathy), Gary (Wendy), Mike (Lori), and Peggy (Frank), and an undeniably large family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other family members and friends.

Jim will be laid to rest February 15, 2024, at 11:00 am at Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery, 6701 N. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89131.

In lieu of flowers, please vote for Donald J. Trump