Karl Dean Black

Karl Dean Black, age 66 of Mapleton, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2008. He was born May 6, 1942 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Karl George Black and Ivie Lurlene Richardson Black. He married Claudia Porter on August 26, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. They later divorced.



Dean enjoyed music, and could play most musical instruments by ear, especially the piano. He traveled internationally, singing and performing as a member of the original "Curtain Time USA," a precursor to BYU's Young Ambassadors.



He authored numerous books, and was well-known in the health care industry as an advocate of natural healing and alternative medicine. He co-founded Sunrider Int'l, and served as the research director of Parker Chiropractic College for 3 years. In the last years of his life, he authored over 200 poems, one of which was considered as a hymn by the LDS music department.



As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dean served in various positions, including gospel doctrine teacher, high counselor, and branch president at the MTC. He served a mission to Mexico, and later helped translate the missionary discussions into several different Indian dialects in Guatemala.



He is survived by his children: Laurie (Brent) Whiting, David Black, Melissa (Samuel) Jessop, Adam Black, Kimberli (Shawn) Matthews, Christopher (Ammie) Black, Jennifer Black, Triana (Jeremy) Pledger, Michael Black, and 26 grandchildren.



Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Mapleton Stake Center at 970 North 400 East in Mapleton. There will be a viewing held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 82 West 400 North in Mapleton and Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.