Patrick James "Pat" Black

Missoula - Patrick “Pat” James Black, 64, of Missoula passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 at home with family after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. Pat was born Oct. 22, 1960 in Missoula, MT to Wayne and Ann Black, the 5th of 8 children.

He was generous, loving, courageous, silly, kind, thoughtful, smart, curious, honest, talented, creative, musical, humble, strong-willed, a great provider, a little stubborn, and a man of great moral integrity.

These qualities were evident even as a child, such as when Pat and a friend rescued a family from a house fire and in his amazing performance in the title role of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” during his middle school years. His portrayal of Amahl touched many as his mother recalls receiving his praise even years later.

Pat attended grade school at Willard Elementary and graduated from Hellgate High School in 1979. While vice president of the student council at Willard he spear-headed the effort to acquire a twirly slide for the playground, the first in Missoula!

Not only could he sing, he could play just about any instrument. While at Hellgate he performed with several bands and choirs. A highlight for Pat was playing in the marching band at the Rose Bowl Parade.

After graduating he entered the workforce immediately, despite receiving a musical scholarship. In fact, he skipped his own graduation to work planting trees in Idaho. Shortly after, he met his future wife, Sue, through their siblings.

After a quick courtship, they were married July 11th, 1981. Pat then traveled to North Dakota in search of work in the oil fields and after establishing a job Sue followed behind. They resided in Williston, North Dakota for 3 years where they began their family, having their firstborn son.

Missing Missoula, they returned home in 1984, and Pat took a job in the trucking industry where he worked for over 15 years. Here they also completed their joy - their family - by adding two more sons  and a daughter!

In search of a more challenging career, Pat returned to the oil and gas industry, where he excelled and rapidly ascended to a management position. He remained in that career for over 23 years. He was highly respected by his company and coworkers, which opened up opportunities both domestically and internationally. Domestically he worked in the states of Wyoming, North Dakota, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. His time spent internationally was the highlight of his career where he worked in Argentina, Tunisia, Equatorial New Guinea, and Abu Dhabi. He was most fond of his time in Argentina, even spending a month of his time-off there to be immersed in the culture and language.

Though he excelled at work, Pat’s heart was always with his family. He would move mountains to support loved ones under any circumstance. However, nothing made him light up more than spending time with his grandkids. The joy he felt in those times was unrivaled.

Pat was also a very gifted craftsman and mechanic. He selflessly blessed others with his talents, whether it be a unique and artistic creation, a home improvement or repair, or one of the many, many times he helped fix someone’s vehicle.

He greatly enjoyed spending time in the outdoors of Montana; especially later in life, working and playing at the mountain property he shared with his youngest son. Pat was always overjoyed when family and friends joined them there for adventures.

While he was always a believer, his faith in and dependence upon God grew over time. Even in the midst of his battle with cancer he continued to glorify God and share his testimony with others, including being baptised.

Pat was preceded in death by his father, Wayne. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sue; son CJ and his wife Emily; son Jason; son Dustin; daughter Katie and her husband Caleb; his grandchildren, Hattie, Clayton, Maelyn, Silas, and Everett; his mother Ann; and 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

The family wishes to thank both Montana Cancer Center at Saint Patrick’s Providence and Big Sky Home Health•Palliative•Hospice for the exceptional care you provided Pat. Special thanks to his oncology doctor, Karl Sorenson, and his hospice nurse, Libby.

A celebration of his life will take place in the future; date pending.

Pat was truly an exceptional man, who offered so much to each life he touched. He is greatly missed.

“He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.”

-Isaiah 40:29-31

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patrick James "Pat" Black, please visit our floral store.