From the 1973 yearbook	At station 13 1985 yearbook		From the 1995 yearbook
From the 2005 yearbook		From 2023

The officers and members of the Jacksonville Retired Firefighter Association are saddened to report that

Retired JFRD District Chief Wendell Black passed away on Friday, July 07, 2023.

He was hired May 11, 1964

A memorial service will be held 10:30 AM Monday July 24, 2023 at the

Firefighter's Hall
618 Stockton St
Jax, FL 32204

There will be a time of fellowship and reflection immediately following the memorial service.

Those wishing to attend the interment will meet at 2:30 PM Monday July 24, 2023 at the

Jacksonville National Cemetery
4083 Lannie Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218

Retired District Fire Chief for the City of Jacksonville, Wendell Black, 79, departed this earth for Heaven on July 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness.
A native of Baxley, Georgia where he was born to father Silas Black and mother Drexel Swinson Black in 1943, Chief Black grew up on a small farm. Along with brother Dale Black who still resides at the famiy farm, predeceased brothers and sisters include Earl Black, Lucille Hutchison, Myrtle Jones and James Black. Growing up in rural Georgia raising hogs and growing corn and tobacco, he and his 5 brothers and sisters learned the importance of church, family, and honest hard work. His Christian faith, work ethic and family values would set him onto a path of success when in 1961 he made Jacksonville, Florida his new home.

The young teenage farm boy soon met the beautiful woman who would become his wife, Lawana Barber Black. Thus began their love story which would last for 58 years. Their union was blessed with two sons and Chief Black worked multiple jobs to take care of his growing family while always making time to be sure there was church on Sunday. As he worked his way up with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, he joined the 125th Fighter Wing serving as a munitions specialist. All the while, he also owned and operated a landscaping business.

After raising his sons to adulthood, soon grandchildren came on the scene and his whole world changed. As he had more time, he loved to take trips in his big motorhome with the grandchildren. Whether a short trip to an amusement park or beach or a weeks-long journey to see the country, he loved to embark on a grand adventure. At some point the grandchildren nicknamed him “Big Daddy,” a name that stuck for over thirty years.

He was also a loving father to two sons, grandpa to seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. As a retired District Fire Chief for the City of Jacksonville, a retired Senior Master Sergeant in the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard, and born again Baptist, Chief Black lived an exemplary life of service to his Lord, his family, Jacksonville and the United States of America.

He is survived by his wife, Lawana Barber Black, sons Dean Black (Kim) and Shane Black, grandchildren Kellie Foster, Nathan Christel (Allison), Savannah Black (Kenny), Joseph Shane Black Jr., Hunter Black (Ruth), Alanna Black, and Silas Black, as well as great grandchildren Colton Foster, Preston Foster, Mateo Valladeres , and Miguel Valladares. Chief Black is also survived by his brother Dale Black and numerous beloved nephews and nieces and extended relatives.

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