David Black was a retired adjunct professor of economics at the University of North Alabama. He died Saturday at age 65 at Shoals Hospital.
Black, who had a history of heart and diabetic conditions, called an ambulance for himself at his home. When the ambulance arrived, the door was locked, and the medics could not gain entrance. There was a 20-minute delay for police to arrive and break in.
Black was pronounced dead at 11:31 p.m. Saturday.
He was a former Colbert County commissioner and commission chairman.
Black ran unsuccessfully for State Treasurer in 2018.
He was the current chair of the Shoals Republican Club. The group held a large monthly breakfast meeting at the Helen Keller Library, attracting key Republican speakers.
Black also hosted "Mornings with the Professor" on WVNA 96.7 in Muscle Shoals.
He served as director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Alabama.
Black had been president of the Shoals Symphony, chairman of the Colbert County Tourism Board, member of the Tennessee Valley Youth Services Commission, member of the Boy Scouts of America Westmoreland District Council, faculty advisor to Sigma Chi fraternity, and faculty advisor to the University of North Alabama College Republicans.
Black was a graduate of the University of North Alabama.
In 2017, Black organized the "Heroes for Freedom and Liberty" event at the U.S.S. Alabama battleship in Mobile Bay. The event honored Medal of Honor recipients including:
Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor Recipient from the battle of Iwo Jima.
Donald “Doc” Ballard,
Robert Patterson of Pensacola,
Alabama native Bennie Adkins.
They also honored the memory of Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss (February 7, 1919–March 23, 2006), who was honored posthumously, represented by his only son Desmond Doss, Jr. Doss’s story inspired the award-winning film ‘Hacksaw Ridge,’ directed by Mel Gibson.
Arrangements will be announced.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama. He writes about Alabama people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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