Obituary of Thomas Donald Black

T. Donald Black, age 93, a 20-year resident of the Rydal Park Retirement Community in Jenkintown, PA and formerly of Cliffside Park, NJ died on February 16, 2013. For 64-years, he was the devoted husband of the late Frances Greenan Black, who graduated from Grove City College in 1944. Frances died on July 7, 2008 Born in Mercer, PA on February 7, 1920, he was one of six children of the late Harry A. and Bessie G. Black. He graduated from Mercer High School '37, Grove City College'42, Temple University School of Theology '53 and was awarded a Dr. of Divinity from Grove City College '55. He was ordained by the United Presbyterian Church of North America in 1945 and began his ministry in Oklahoma City where he founded the Creston Hills United Presbyterian Church. In 1950, he became Pastor of the Boulevard United Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He was elected as a member of the Board of Foreign Mission and served as its President. During this time he was invited to chair the New Wilmington Missionary Conference. In 1954, he became Executive Secretary of Board of Foreign Missions. Two years later the foreign mission work of the Women's General Missionary Society was merged and a larger board was formed. In 1958 the denomination was united with the Presbyterian Church, USA and he became the Associate General Secretary of the new Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR). He served with this organization until it disappeared in a reorganization of church agencies. In 1972, he became Pastor of The American Church in London. He led its relocation from an Anglican building to a congregation of The United Reform Church. He also helped establish The Association of Community Churches in Europe and the Middle East. He participated in several events during England's recognition of the American Bi-Centennial. In 1977, he returned to New York to become an Associate Director of the Program Agency of the United Presbyterian Church USA. In 1983, the denomination merged with the Presbyterian Church in the US. He was elected as the first Executive Director of its General Assembly Council. He retired in 1988. During his career he had been active in Ecumenical activities. He was the first President of the Oklahoma State Council of Churches. He was a delegate to the founding assembly of the National Council of Churches and served on several committees. He attended two assemblies of the World Council of Churches and was a member of its Division of World Mission and Evangelism. He chaired its Christian Literature Fund Committee. He also attended two assemblies of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. While living at Rydal Park, a retirement center in the Philadelphia Presbytery, he served on the sponsoring organization's Board of Directors. He also served Abington Presbyterian Church as a Parish Associate for five years. During his retirement, he and Mrs. Black have traveled to Great Britain, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He is survived by his sons: David of Phoenix, AZ, Donald of Monterey, CA and Joseph and his wife, Catherine of Lapeer, MI and by seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy, in 1957. Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 22, 2013 in the Auditorium of Rydal Park, 1515 The Fairway, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Friends will be received after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, 17 Cricketown Rd., Stony Point, NY 10980, or the New Wilmington Missionary Conference Endowment Fund, 229 S. Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16142.