James Hinton Black, 93, of Chester, VA, passed away on May 5, 2026. Born in Kentucky on August 31, 1932, he was the son of the late Douglas M. and Mona S. Black.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Alease Palmore Black; son, James Douglas Black; daughter, Patricia Alease Black; granddaughter, Samantha Alease Black; brother, Ronald Black; and sister, Judy Roberts (both of Franklin, KY).

James was a veteran of the United States Army for 26 years, serving in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a Military Intelligence Officer for the United States Army, serving on four different continents and the White House on a special assignment. After retirement, he joined the Defense Commissary Agency as a Security and Safety Officer, serving at Fort Lee, Europe, and the Middle East.

James was a 32 Mason and member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Grand Lodge of Kentucky for over seven years, and a member of the Shriners International for over 60 years. He was an avid fisherman and world traveler and is often remembered in family stories for his 1964 and 1965 run with bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

A funeral service will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date, with full military burial to follow. Arrangements are by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.