In Loving Memory of Nathan Leslie Black

1962 - 2025

With hearts full of both sorrow and gratitude, we announce the passing of Nathan Leslie Black, a beloved brother, uncle, and friend, who left this earth on April 18, 2025, in River Oaks, Texas, at the age of 63. Born on April 8, 1962, in Waxahachie, Texas, Nathan was the cherished youngest child of the late Delma Neil Black and Fannie Elizabeth Andrews-Black.

Raised in the close-knit community of Hurst, Texas, Nathan was a spirited boy with a wild heart and a twinkle in his eye. He graduated from L.D. Bell High School, where he was known not only for his good humor and sense of adventure, but also for his fierce determination and cowboy grit. While he once ran the football fields in pee-wee leagues and at Hurst Junior High, it was the rodeo arena that truly captured his spirit. As a member of the Bell High School Rodeo Team, Nathan found his calling on the back of a bucking bull, embracing the rough-and-tumble life of a young rodeo cowboy with a fearlessness that defined him for years to come.

Nathan had an enduring love for the great outdoors—a passion that stayed with him all his life. He was an avid fisherman and a skilled hunter, finding peace and purpose among the woods, rivers, and wide-open Texas skies. His deep love for animals, especially coonhounds, led him to raise and train many faithful companions over the years. Although he didn't have a dog in his final days, he often spoke of them with warmth and pride, recalling the joy they brought him and the hunts they shared.

Much of Nathan's life was shaped by the strong bond he held with his father. Together, they spent countless weekends helping friends on a farm in Tolar, Texas, working hard and laughing harder, a legacy of father-son companionship that would define Nathan's approach to life. He also inherited his father's skill and passion for grilling and smoking food, turning simple meals into shared moments of joy, seasoned with love, patience, and a dash of Black family tradition.

Throughout his working years, Nathan was a true jack of all trades. His hands were never idle, and his heart was always in his work. He served his community through various roles—with the City of Euless, at Diamond S Cattle in Palo Pinto, and later with AA Wrecker Service in Haltom City. Skilled in plumbing, and confident behind the controls of heavy equipment, Nathan was a man who knew how to get things done. He never hesitated to roll up his sleeves and help, always ready to lend a hand, solve a problem, or just bring a bit of humor to lighten the load. His sense of humor was ever-present—sometimes sharp, often silly, but always deeply appreciated by those around him.

Even after being diagnosed with cancer and living on disability in his later years, Nathan remained devoted to his family, especially his mother. He was her quiet strength, always near, always dependable, until the time came when his health required more care and he moved to a group home. Even then, his heart stayed rooted in family and in the simple pleasures of life.

Nathan treasured his time spent in Oklahoma with his beloved sister Beth and her husband Ben, where laughter was abundant, and memories were made beneath the open sky. Those visits were more than a change of scenery—they were an expression of love and connection, and a reminder of the joy Nathan brought into the lives of those around him.

Nathan is survived by his loving sisters, Beth Withered and her husband Ben, and Jean Ward and her husband Ken. He was a proud and playful uncle to Cody Phillips and his wife Leslie, Casey Phillips and his wife Karina, Mimi Packet and her husband Adam, Audie Black and Catreana Kilcrease, Justin Archer and his wife Ashlee, and Nikki Laudermilk and her husband Chris. His presence will also be deeply missed by his many great-nieces and great-nephews, who adored their Uncle Nathan and his fun-loving ways.

He now joins those he loved and missed in eternal peace—his parents, Neil and Liz Black, and his beloved brother, Joe Black—in the arms of the Lord.

Though Nathan's journey on this earth has come to an end, his legacy lives on in the stories told around campfires, in the scent of wood smoke on a spring evening, in the laughter shared at family gatherings, and in every memory where his spirit still lingers.

He was a rugged soul with a tender heart, a cowboy at heart, a brother in arms, a true Texan—and he will be deeply missed.

"Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts."

A memorial service to celebrate Nathan's life will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 PM at the Azle Funeral Chapel, located on the grounds of Azleland Cemetery in Azle, Texas.