Douglas Black

Douglas Alan Black, age 57, of Donna Texas, passed away on July 3, 2016 following a 6 month battle to recover from complications of multiple spider bites that occurred when Doug stepped down off the tractor into a nest of spiders during his daily work routine. Doug was born on March 7, 1959 in Washington, IA. He was the son of the late Orin Black and Lola Black Arbogast. He attended school in Washington, IA until his Junior year when he moved to Sigourney, IA where he graduated from High School. Doug married Terri Utterback in Sigourney, IA. They had two children, Jeremy and Katie. They later divorced. In October 2009, Doug married Cindy Dillon of Donna, TX and made his home there for the remainder of his life. Doug worked for the Mahaska County Farm Service until 1989. He then worked for Crop Production Services in the Oskaloosa, Iowa area until 1997. He sold drainage tile until 2009 when he married and moved to Donna, TX where Doug worked alongside his wife to manage their bed and breakfast and a large hay and farming operation. Doug was well respected and deeply cared for by his friends, clients and farmhands in the Donna, Texas area. He leaves behind many strong and happy memories for all that knew him. He will be greatly missed for many years to come. Doug was an avid Hawkeye fan. He was a talented, all round athlete during his High School years. He played basketball, was an excellent wrestler, his 4 x 100 relay team set a record that still stands at Sigourney and Coach Chuck Henry says that Doug was the best blocking back he ever had on the football team. He loved supporting his children's sporting endeavors as they developed their own interests. He loved cheering for Jeremy during his wrestling career and he also loved horses so helping Katie as she competed in horse show events brought him great pleasure. He also loved being a grandfather of his 6 precious grandchildren. Doug looked forward each year to the family tradition of spending the labor day weekend at the Skunk River camping and fishing with his brothers and nephews. Each year created more memories and fishing "tales" to share for the coming year. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Black of Donna, TX; son, Jeremy Black and wife Anne of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter, Katie Shelton and husband John of Bedford, IA; 5 grandsons, Waker, Holden, Conrad, Cole & Clay and 1 granddaughter, Macy. Mother, Lola Arbogast of Wayland, IA; 8 brothers; Denny and wife Laura of Alpha, Ill; Mike and wife Bev of Washington, IA; Bill and wife Sherry of Washington, IA; Larry of Iowa City, IA; Steve and wife Denise of Webster, IA, Gary and wife Jackie of Ankeny, IA, Tom and wife Deb of Washington, IA; Brad and wife Bonnie of Sigourney, IA. Step mother, Jean Black of Washington, IA. mother in Law, Margaret Dillon of Donna, TX, sister in law, Stacy Minns of San Antonio, TX and brother in law, Steve Dillon of McAllen, TX. Step brother Harold Arbogast and wife Theresa of Brighton, IA, step sister, Judy Teel of Coppock, IA. and Many nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his father, Orin Black, step father, Max Arbogast, Mick Arbogast, step daughter, Amanda Dillon, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the Bethel Mennonite Church on the Wayland Road south of Washington. Local Pastor, Scott Johnson will officiate the service. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to help with the catastrophic medical expenses. Contributions for Doug's funeral services can be mailed or dropped by McCaleb Funeral Home, 900 W. 4th St., Weslaco, Texas 78596 Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco, TX.