BLACK, John V. "Jack" - b. January 8, 1937 - d. August 20, 2016

[patyrn]

John V. "Jack" Black, age 79, passed away August 20, 2016.  He was born January 8, 1937 in Pratt, Kansas to Dr. Cyril V. "Doc" and Margaret J. (Koppers) Black.

Jack graduated from Pratt High School in 1955, University of Kansas in 1959, Washburn Law School in 1963, and U.S. Army Judge Advocte General School at the University of Virginia.  He served 4 1/2 years as a JAG Officer in the United States Army, the last 2 1/2 years as the Post Judge Advocate in Vicneza, Italy.

Jack married Janet McKinney in 1961 in Wichita, Kansas and was the best father one could ask for to three sons and a daughter.  In 1968, the family returned to Pratt, Kansas and Jack established Black's Law Office and served as Pratt County Attorney from 1969-1977.  He took cases to the Kansas Supreme Court that established strict liability and comparative negligence tort law and established precedence in Oil and Gas trespass in the State of Kansas.

Jack was an active member in the Kansas Bar Association, Board of Directors and past President of the Southwest Kansas Bar Association, and Pratt Bar Association.  He was also a member of the Kansas Trail Lawyers Association and Past President of the Pratt Rotary Club where he was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. 

Jack was a member of the Ninnescah Livewires 4-H Club in his youth and volunteered and supported Pratt County 4-H and supported the following not-for-profit organizations in Pratt County for no charge:  Pratt County f-H Foundation, Pratt County Achievement Place, Pratt Teen Center, Meals on Wheels, B-29 Memorial Museum, Pratt County Historical Society, McCaslin Artists Series, Pratt Community Concerts, Girls Scout Council, Pratt Area Literacy, the American Legion, and the VFW. He and Janet were honored to be given the Kraisinger/Clarkson-Frisbie Service Award by the Pratt County Fair Association.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; three sons, Thomas V. "Tom" and wife, Melanie of Pratt, Kansas, John P. of Howard, Kansas, and Dr. Robert D. "Bob" and wife, Shirley of Howard, Kansas; one daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Snell and husband, Keith of Wichita, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Victoria "Tori", Abigail "Abby", Austin, Kathleen "Katie", Tyler, Evan, and McKenzie; two brothers, Dr. James F. "Jim" Black and wife, Kathy of Marshalltown, Iowa and Dr. William L. "Bill" and wife Diane Black of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and a sister-in-law, Margaret McKinney of Wichita, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 23, 2016 and Thursday, August 24, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt, Kansas 67124.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 332 N. Oak Street, Pratt, Kansas with Father Michael Klagg presiding.  Burial with military honors will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt.  Memorials may be made to Pratt County 4-H Foundation, Kansas 4-H Foundation for Sedgwick and Elk County, or Pratt County Historical Society in care of Larrison Mortuary.

(taken from the Larrison Mortuary website)