Michael Eugene Black

Michael Eugene Black (Mike) was born in Abilene, Texas to Richard Eugene (Gene) and Ann Gotcher Black. He and his sisters, Rena and Donna, grew up in the country near Anson and later Baird, Texas where Mike learned to love the outdoors, especially his Grandpop’s Farm and the “Hills”. Gene and Ann brought Mike and his sisters up in the Baptist Church, and from an early age Mike developed a deep and lasting Christian faith.

When Mike was in high school his father, who was a pumper for Union Oil Company of California (UNOCAL), moved the family to Andrews, Texas. There Mike excelled in sports, especially football, and academics, especially math. Most importantly, it was in Andrews where he met the love of his life, Cynthia Davis (Cindy). And, shortly after they graduated from Andrews High School they were married on August 1, 1975 at the First Assembly of God Church and moved together to El Paso where Mike studied Mechanical Engineering at UTEP on a football scholarship.

After graduation, Mike and Cindy moved to Midland, Texas where he began a long and successful career in the oil and gas business, first with UNOCAL like his father, Gene, and soon thereafter joining Sipes Williamson Petroleum Consultants as a Consulting Reservoir Engineer. It was at Sipes Williamson where he met Lea Crump who was to become his lifelong business partner and close friend. Lea and Mike formed BC Operating, Inc where together they built multiple successful oil and gas businesses. Mike was an exceptional engineer, an astute investor, and an insatiable entrepreneur. Throughout his career he built and sold businesses across many industries including upstream and midstream oil and gas, minerals and royalties, oilfield services, electrical construction, golf courses, and commercial and residential real estate. Mike was a wonderful mentor to many young professionals and had the great privilege of working alongside and partnering with his son, Brandon, and his son-in-law, Brian Arnold, Jr. Mike had a tremendous appetite for risk taking and an amazing gift of managing multiple complicated matters simultaneously. Through ups and downs, Mike always remained optimistic and conducted business with honesty and integrity.

Mike’s true passion in life was his devotion to God and his love of family. He loved studying scripture, participating in Community Bible Study, and teaching after school bible classes for ASK and SEEK. He was highly involved in church, at Calvary Assembly of God and later at True Lite Christian Fellowship, where he held multiple leadership roles and served for decades as a volunteer youth leader. He and Cindy also served many years as volunteer leaders for Young Life. Mike served on the Board of Governors of Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland College, and High Sky Children’s Ranch.

Mike and Cindy had a wonderful, compassionate, and Christ-centered marriage. Over their nearly 50 years of marriage, they were seldom apart. Mike was a devoted and loving father to his two children, Brandon and Amanda. Never missing a sports game or dance recital, Mike was also sure to teach his kids how to treat people with kindness, play 42 dominoes, laugh, and enjoy life. He helped lead Royal Rangers camping trips, coached YMCA basketball, and served the MHS football booster club. Most importantly, Mike, though a man of few words, led his life in a manner that instilled in his children the importance of loving God and serving others.

His love for children extended beyond his biological family, and throughout his life he and Cindy fostered lasting, genuine and loving relationships with several “adopted” children. He deeply cared for and truly loved so many kids, but especially Ashley Mitchell and her children, Amajna, Cashus, Jerzei, and Denim. And Sydnie, Morgan, and Khailinn Williams were Mike’s pride and joy; he loved these girls so much.

When Mike became a grandfather, he discovered his true vocation. He absolutely adored his grandchildren, Richard, Tripp, Vivian, and Annabelle. They were the core of his life from the moment they were born to the very end. Grumpy, as he was known to them, would light up with pride whenever they came into the room or when people asked him about his grandchildren. He cherished spending time with his grandkids at Red River, Possum Kingdom Lake, and numerous beach vacations. Mike thoroughly enjoyed attending Nutcracker performances, music recitals, and sporting events. He was a hands-on grandfather, always present and active in his grandchildren’s lives.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, employees, business partners and the multitude of people he loved, mentored and cared for. Mike will be remembered for his gentleness, kindness, generosity, love of family, respect for all people, his tenacity, competitiveness, and compassion. Above all he will be remembered for his passion and devotion to Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Gene Black, his Aunt Maurine, and Uncle JN Varner. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; son Brandon Black and wife Erin and their children Richard and Vivian; daughter Amanda Arnold and husband Brian and their children Tripp and Annabelle; sister Rena Wiese and her husband Andy of Chattanooga, Tennessee; sister Donna Masters of San Antonio, Texas; his brothers-in-law and sisters in-law Julie and Tommy Davis, Jr. and Kim and Russell Hearon of Andrews, Texas. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Eric Wiese, Jeffery Wiese, Carrie Wiese, Tiffany Redfern, Jerrod Masters, Natasha Riley, Derek Griffin, and Aaron Davis; Dylan Dobbins and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The Black family would like to sincerely thank Rev. John Murdoch, Dr. Govind Patel, Home Care Plus, and Home Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike’s honor to Young Life of Midland or High Sky Children’s Ranch.

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