George A. Black, age 91, a resident of Washington North Carolina, died on Wednesday, September 30 at his home. A memorial mass will be held at St. Elizabeth's of the Hill Country Catholic Church in Boone, North Carolina on November 21. A graveside commitment service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Mr. Black will be laid to rest beside his wife of 49 years, Dorothy Wethington Black. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Kiwanis club or Hospice organization in George Black's name.

 Mr. Black was born in Baldwin, Kansas on June 12, 1924, the son of Earl Tennyson Black and Myrtle McCain Black.

He is predeceased by his brother Donald Black and his sisters Gladys Black Padget and Mildred Black Dressel. A sergeant in the Army, George served during World War II from 1943-1946 in the medical corps. Following the war, Mr. Black attended Butler University and Michigan State University. He graduated from MSU in 1950 with a degree in Hotel Management. Mr. Black was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. George Black married Dorothy Wethington on August 12, 1952 in Huntington, West Virginia. George and Dorothy were the parents of three daughters, Catherine, Margie and Beth, all born in Borger, Texas while Mr. Black managed the Hotel Borger. George Black worked in the hospitality industry for 43 years as a general manager and corporate director. He managed several resort properties including the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Florida (1960-1973), The Balsams Hotel, Dixville Notch, New Hampshire (summers of 1967 and 1968), The Essex and Sussex Hotel (summers of 1969 and 1971), The White Elephant Hotel on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts (summer of 1970). George Black was vice president of B.F. Saul hotel division, and worked for Lodging Systems Inc., Lowe Hotel Corporation and individual Sheraton and Hilton properties. George and Dorothy moved to Boone, North Carolina in 1991 where George sold real estate and was actively involved with Kiwanis. George lovingly cared for Dorothy through an extended battle with cancer. After the loss of his wife Dorothy, Mr. Black resided in Mount Dora Florida from 2002 to 2011. Mr. Black then moved to Washington, North Carolina, the home of daughter Beth. The consummate hotelier, George will be remembered for his love of entertaining, his hearty laugh, and his love of life. Always ready for a road trip, he was happiest planning an adventure, sharing food and drinks, and entertaining family and friends with funny stories. George was a great lover of music. His iconic song was "The Shadow of Your Smile" made famous in 1965 by Tony Bennett. "Now when I remember spring, all the joy that love can bring I will be remembering the shadow of your smile." Rest in peace, dear papa.