John Paul Black

John Paul Black

July 3, 1943-January 25, 2025

John Paul Black, 81, of Graham, NC passed away on Jan 25, 2025.

He was born in Graham, NC in 1943 to Paul Ritchie Black and Thames Apple Black. John  grew up in Burlington, NC and graduated from Walter Williams High School in 1961.  He went on to become self employed as a Class A Building Contractor in the states of VA and NC.   He also operated a successful painting business on the Outer Banks of NC.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Thames Black and four siblings:  William David Black, Doris Black McClendon, Betty Black Moorefield and Ronnie Ewart Black (Carole).  He was also preceded in death by his son, William Paul “Bo” Black. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Semiklose Black; his daughter, Casey Black Wall (Bryan), his granddaughter, Jordan Black Pead (Daniel), his great granddaughters, Madelyn and Hadley Pead and sisters in law, Evelyn Semiklose Sullivan and Billie Semiklose Gann.  He is also survived by his brother, Michael (Mickey) Joseph Black (Betty) and many more nieces and nephews.

John loved to work with his son Bo building houses.  He loved hunting, fishing, woodworking, racing cars in his younger days, riding his Farmall tractor, watching NASCAR on Sunday, and spending time in his beloved NC Mountains.

A Memorial service will be held in his honor at Macedonia Lutheran Church at 421 Front Street, Burlington, NC 27215 Saturday February 8th at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ashereallycares.com,  a nonprofit to aid Hurricane Helene victims in Ashe County, NC.