02/23/2025
Arthur Wayne Black, 81, passed away at his home on February 23, 2025, after a yearlong battle with Lewy body dementia. Per his wishes, no services are planned.
Art was born on February 20, 1944, to Richard and Mary (Jones) Black. He was the older of two children. Art and his sister, Shirley Jo, grew up on a farm southwest of Knoxville. They did all the “farm kid” things- chores, 4-H, and raising livestock. They attended Pleasant Ridge Country School. Art would tell the story that if you visited Marion County Park Schoolhouse, that was his school. If you looked closely at the seats, his initials could be seen carved in the desktop.
Art met his future wife, Carol Lynn Tonda, when they both “came to town school from county school in ninth grade.” They graduated in 1962 from Knoxville High School and were married on August 7, 1966, at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. To this union, two children were born, Renae Lynn in 1971, and Brent Arthur in 1973. Both kids were born in January and baptized on Palm Sunday. Because Art was in bed with a kidney infection, their Ankeny neighbor took Carol to the hospital when Renae was born. Later, they moved to a three-story farmhouse south of Knoxville (just north of the current sinkhole.)
Art loved his double professions, farming and trucking. He worked for Crouse Cartage, BOS Trucks, George Trucking, and Ben Shinn Trucking. At one point, Art share cropped several farms with Carol as the “bookkeeper” and his son Brent as his right-hand man. Art could always be counted on to help anyone at any time. Art was VERY PROUD of his driving record, logging many, many miles without an accident. He enjoyed listening to country western music and talk radio while he was driving cross country. His favorite songs were “Orange Blossom Special” and “18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses.”
When Renae was a student at the University of Iowa, she was a homecoming queen candidate her senior year, which made Art very proud. He and Carol enjoyed traveling to Iowa City, where they had season tickets to football games. For several years, Art and Carol wintered in Bonita Springs, Florida. With Carol as the Social Committee Chairman, they formed many new friendships with whom they continue to communicate today.
Left to cherish Art’s memory is his wife of 58 years, Carol; children, Renae (Jason) Scalabrin and Brent Black; his grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Douglas (Delaney) Black, Dawson Black, Shaylyn Black, Quinn Scalabrin, Ty Scalabrin; brother in-law, Larry Grimes; sister in-law and brother in-law, Tom and Judy Ligouri; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and sister, Shirley.
Art’s family is very thankful for Home Instead (119 W. 2nd St. N., Newton, IA. 50208) and Suncrest Hospice (5959 Village View Dr. St. 100, West Des Moines, IA. 50266) for their exceptional care of Art and his family during Art’s last year.