Jerry Carmack Black of Palm City, Florida, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and went to be with God. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 22, 1946, to Edwin Carmack Black and Lucille Crouch Black.

Jerry graduated from high school in Nashville in 1964 and went on to graduate from Mid-State Flight School at Middle Tennessee State College in 1968. Aviation was not simply a career for Jerry; it was a lifelong passion and an important part of who he was. He made his first solo flight in 1964 in a Piper J-3 and went on to earn ratings to fly helicopters, seaplanes, single-engine and twin-engine aircraft, and a wide variety of jets, including the Jet Commander, Learjet, Falcon, Gulfstream, and Challenger.

Throughout his career, Jerry managed several fixed-base operators (FBOs) and was the first to bring commercial air traffic to the Vail–Beaver Creek FBO. He was also a co-owner of the Stuart Jet Center in Stuart, Florida.

Jerry’s dedication to aviation was recognized throughout his career. In 1997, he received a Pilot Safety Award recognizing 20,000 hours of safe flying. In 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration presented him with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in recognition of 50 years of aviation service. He was also featured numerous times on the cover of Professional Pilot magazine. He remained active in aviation throughout his life as a member of numerous FAA organizations and groups.

Jerry was a proud veteran, having served in the United States Air Force Reserve. He was also a member of Pipers Landing Yacht & Country Club and belonged to numerous shooting clubs.

Jerry was an accomplished golfer and golfed all over the world.

Jerry and his wife, Sue, lived in Fort Lauderdale before moving to Palm City in 1997, where Jerry eventually retired. He will be remembered for his remarkable aviation career, his service to his country, his love of family, his many interests and accomplishments, and the countless friendships he formed throughout his life.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Sue; his son, John Thornton Black of Knoxville, Tennessee; and his stepdaughters, Pam Bart Lane of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Laura Joe Slowinski of Colrain, Massachusetts; and Julia Gary Wollman of New City, New York. He is also survived by his grandson, Ashton Riley Black; three step-granddaughters; nine step-grandsons; and numerous step-great-grandsons, step-great-granddaughters, and great-great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dana Ann Black; his stepdaughter, Janine Nicole Incandela; and his sisters, Joanne Black Blanton and Shirley Black von Haven.

Jerry leaves behind a legacy of family, friendship, faith, military service, and an extraordinary lifetime in aviation. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life for Jerry will be held at Mount Olivet Funeral Home & Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. 10:30–11:00 a.m. — Family visitation ::  11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Visitation for friends :: 12:00 p.m. — Funeral service :: Burial will immediately follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida, or to the Humane Society in Palm City, Florida, or to a charity of your choice.