John O. Black, Jr.

John Olar "Johnny" Black, Jr. son of the late John Olar and Cecile Holcombe Black passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the age of 90. He was the husband of the late Barbara King Black, the love of his life for sixty six years.

He graduated from Clemson University in 1957 and enlisted in the US Army Reserves and upon graduation was called to active duty including thirteen months in South Korea in 1957-58.

He was assigned to the United Nations Compound a unit of UN officers and their staffs from countries that fought alongside US and South Korean forces against Communist Chinese and North Korean forces during the Korean War. In his off-duty time John taught at Han Yang University students with their english speech.

Returning to civilian life in 1959 John briefly taught vocational agriculture at Calhoun Falls High School and Bowman (SC) High School before being awarded an assistantship at Clemson and earning a Masters Degree in 1961. He then worked in Spartanburg and Oconee counties as an Assistant County Agent before moving to an agronomist position in the Clemson University Seed Certification Dept. in 1965.

In 1972 he was appointed Head of the Seed Certification Department at Clemson University and Director of the Seed Certification program in SC until retirement in 1989.

In retirement Johnny was named an honorary member of AOSCA, the S.C. Seedsmen's Association, the SC Crop Improvement Association and the SC Foundation Seed Association.

Surviving family include daughter Lisa Black Sweet (Rev. Greg Sweet), son Cameron Black (Martha), grandsons Rev. Neal Sweet (Jessica), Rev. Nathan Sweet (Kelli), twin grandsons Preston Black (Kelly) and Quincy Black (Annabeth). Great grandchildren include Tripp Sweet, twins Anna Grace and Logan Sweet, Sophia Rose Sweet, Jayson Sweet, Danielle Sweet, Maggie Black, Lucy Black, and Lottie Black.

Surviving brothers are Roger Black (Linda) and Wayne Black (Cheryl).

John was a member at Georges Creek at the time of his death.

In retirement Johnny hybridized several hundred new daylilies and from among these registered with the American Hemerocallis (Daylily) Society, a new daylily named after each female of his immediate family.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 2:45 PM at Robinson Funeral Home, Powdersville Road. A service will take place in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home - Powdersville Road at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley.