Wayne Lythgoe Black returned to "his people" on Sunday, March 9, 1997. He died where he wanted to be, at home in the arms of his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
He was born June 17, 1919, in the family farm house in Cowley, Wyoming to Parnell Black and Myrtle Lythgoe. He married Bettina Loewen Rothrock on December 27, 1943. His 54 year marriage produced six children and, to this point, 22 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.Wayne attended public schools in Cowley, Wyoming until the age of 11 when his family moved to Salt Lake City, where his father was attending the University of Utah College of Law. He graduated from South High School. He proudly followed in his father's footsteps graduating from the University of Utah College of Law in 1942. He was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1942. The commencement of his legal career was delayed by service to his country during World War II. As so many of his contemporaries did, Mr. Black heeded the call to arms to defend his country from 1942-1946. He related many harrowing stories to his children and grandchildren about his service in the U. S. Navy as communications officer aboard the aircraft carrier U. S. S. Lunga Point. He participated in the Battles of Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the occupation of Japan. He and his shipmates earned many awards and commendations for their valor under fire including the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon his return from the war he commenced fulfilling his life's ambitions to raise a good and loyal family, to excel in his career as a trial attorney and to continue to show the love of his country through active participation in the democratic process. In his legal and political life he represented "the sick, the halt, the lame, the deprived -- those least able to care for their own interests". His intellect and passion for the principles of freedom established by the founding fathers made him a counselor to the great, the near great, and the not so great. He served with loyalty and devotion in many capacities in the Utah and National Democratic Party, including Chairman of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party 1960-1968; National Committeeman from Utah for the Democratic Party, 1968-1976; Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976.
His legal professional credentials include: J.D. with honors, University of Utah College of Law, l942; Phi Alpha Delta; Assistant County Attorney, Salt Lake County, 1946-1948; Assistant District Attorney, Third Judicial District in and for Salt Lake County, Utah, 1948-1950; Partner, Rawlings, Roberts, Wallace & Black, 1948-1976; Partner, Black & Moore, 1976-1988; Partner, Wayne L. Black and Associates 1988-1996; Of Counsel to James R. Black & Associates 1996-1997; Member, Committee on Compiled and Edited Jury Instruction Forms for Utah, 1956-1963; Member, Committee for Compilation of Criminal Jury Instructions, 1962; Committee for Revision of Utah Code of Civil Procedure, 1964-1965 Member, 1967-1978 and Chairman, 1974-1978 of the Commission on Uniform State Laws; Designated Counsel, United Transportation Union for most of his professional career; Co-Chairman, Committee authoring the Utah Judicial Article of the Utah Code, 1968; Member, Judicial Selection Commission for Federal District Court for Utah, 1978.
His legal awards and accomplishments were numerous, including: Recipient, Amicus Curiae Award, Utah Judicial Conference, 1977; President, University of Utah Law School Alumni Association; Utah State Bar; American Board of Trial Advocates (Member Advocate; President, Utah Chapter, 1975-1976); designated as one of the best personal injury lawyers in America by the national publication, "The Best Lawyers in America", 1987; Fellow: International Academy of Trial Lawyers; American College of Trial Lawyers; Named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Utah Bar Association, 1989; Member, Utah Trial Lawyers Association; Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award Utah Trial Lawyers Association, 1992.
Among his greatest joys are his Mormon pioneer heritage which gave him his strong spirituality, his family and "his teams" (the University of Utah and the Utah Jazz), not necessarily in that order. He followed University of Utah athletics beginning in his days as a little boy in the 1930's when his father took him to the old Deseret Gym to watch Utah's basketball team beat the Cougars. Watching "his team" win the Western Athletic Conference championship game with his family helped to ease him from this world.
His light will shine on us as a beacon in the night leading us to excel and love one another as the Master whom he so revered commanded.
He leaves his wife and three daughters and three sons: JoLee Black Heaton, Mary Bettina Black Johnson (Carl), Susan Black Dunn (Tim), James Rothrock Black (JoAnn); Phillip Parnell Black "Pete"(Karen), and Wayne Lewis Black. His grandchildren include: Stephanie Norris (Jesus Quintero); Nicholas Wayne Norris; Stacey Norris; Kirsten Heaton; Michelle Black (Ryan Dallon); Melissa Black; Matthew Black; Megan Black; Melinda Black; Eliza Rosetta Black, Nicole Tabish; Travis Anderson; Robert Wayne Johnson; Ashley DiAna; Brooke DiAna; Leigh-Therese DiAna; Holli DiAna; Joey DiAna; Jeff Dunn; Heather Dunn and Stacey Dunn; and his great-granddaughter, Kalani Tabish. He also leaves his brother and sister whom he loves dearly, John Lythgoe Black and Mary Lou Epperson. His many nieces and nephews were a great joy to him. He was predeceased by his parents and one grandson, Anthony Parnell DiAna.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, March 13, 1997 in the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive where friends may call Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the University of Utah College of Law, and to support the University of Utah and Jazz Basketball teams and vote Democratic!
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