Ronald Black Evelyn Black

Published 11:00 am Tuesday, March 13, 2007

PORTLAND Graveside memorial and interment services for Ronald and Evelyn Black will be held on Saturday, March 10, at 10 a.m. at the Riverview Cemetery in Boardman.

A potluck and celebration of their lives will follow at the Boardman Senior Center. Viewing is arranged for Friday, March 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, 685 W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston.

Ron and Evelyn both died at Raleigh Hills Assisted Living Facility in Portland. Evelyn died on March 1, at age 89, and Ron on March 4, at age 92.

Ronald was born Sept. 14, 1914 to William and Clyda (Barton) Black in Ferron, Utah. He and his two sisters and three brothers grew up in Ferron and Rochester, Utah. Ronald loved working with his father herding sheep, bringing timber down the mountains and running the family saw mill. At Ferron High School Ron played football, basketball and sang in the school choir. It was probably in choir practice that he first noticed Crawford Oveson’s little sister Evelyn had grown into such a beauty!

Evelyn Louise (Oveson) Black was born Nov. 5, 1917 in Cleveland, Utah to Moroni and Theora (Crawford) Oveson. Her parents and her three brothers moved to Ferron where Moroni had accepted a position teaching junior high and high school. Evelyn loved sewing, dancing, and all of her school subjects – maybe choir best of all, because this where she got to sing with Ronald Black.

Ronald and Evelyn dated throughout high school. When Ronald went off to the Brigham Young University they kept their relationship secure through voluminous correspondence. They were married at the LDS Temple in Manti, Utah, on June 25, 1937. They had promised the Ovesons that they would return to school and Ronald would complete his degree. Including a stint in construction to help build the air base at Wendover, Utah, the young couple was finally ready in 1943, with a new bachelor of science in education diploma in hand, to set out on their next great adventure. They moved from the arid land of Emery County, Utah and settled in another familiar desert area; Boardman.

Ron continued the family tradition embarking there on a teaching career. In Boardman, they began a life full of school activities Evelyn became a substitute teacher – and extensive community service. Evelyn was a charter member of the Federated Women’s Club, the Tillicum Club. She was an active member from 1947 to 2004 when illness required the Blacks to leave their home in Boardman.

She also served on the planning commission for twenty-five years and was active with the American Cancer Society. Ron’s 37-year teaching career included coaching successful basketball and track and field teams. He delighted in serving as adviser to the national award-winning local FFA chapter. Ron’s civic contributions included serving as city councilman from 1968 to 1980. This tenure covered the planning for and relocation of Boardman following construction of the John Day Dam. He served as a Boardman volunteer fireman for 25 years ending in 1979. He was a former member of the Hermiston Elks Lodge #1845 and they were a long time members of the Greenfield Grange in Boardman. He was a strong advocate of and taught classes in hunter safety. He loved fishing, gardening, woodworking, and most of all, spending time with his family. The Blacks were to celebrate their 70th anniversary in three months’ time. Their love and absolute devotion to each other will forever be an inspiration to family and friends. They are missed very much and remain in our hearts.

Ron was preceded in death by brothers, Glen, Merril, and Therel Black; and sister, Eldona Ralphs.

Evelyn was preceded in death by two brothers, Crawford and Keith Oveson.

Ronald and Evelyn are survived by their daughter, Evelyn “Diane” Leahy and her husband; one grandson; and three granddaughters. Evelyn is survived by her brother, M. Gene Oveson; and Ronald is survived by his sister, Velma Frandsen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boardman Senior Center.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of the arrangements.