November 17, 1940 – September 16, 2021
Elmer “Carson” Black, Jr. was born November 17, 1940 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Elmer Carson Black and Alice Williams Black. He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. After high school, Carson attended Kansas University and UMKC dental school. He then served in the Army at Fort Lewis during the Vietnam War.
Carson moved to Colorado Springs in 1968 and began the dental practice he ran until he retired. Carson was an avid mountaineer, climbing the mountains in Colorado and throughout the world. He was also a skier and cyclist. Carson was involved with the Colorado Mountain Club and had served as the president of the Pikes Peak CMC group. He was a trip leader, always willing to help others find the joy in the mountains that he experienced.
Carson is survived by his partner, Marian Avoy of Cascade, CO, his sister Ann Woods of Houston, his brother Reed Black of Overland Park, Kansas, and his nieces and nephews: Whitley Levy of Bellaire Texas, Ashley Brown of League City Texas, Maggie Black and Carson Black both of Prairie Village Kansas.
The family has chosen to have a private memorial. There will also be a celebration of life for Carson at a future time.
Carson believed in taking care of the less fortunate and supported Doctors Without Borders and Westside Cares should anyone care to make a donation in his honor.
Carson will be missed by so many who loved him and shared his love of the outdoors.
Trini Garza
27 Sep 2021I will always remember Carson for the years 2010-2016 during which I hiked with Carson many times mostly in the Pikes Peak region. His kindness toward and helping hand for this novice hiker will never be forgotten. He was special!
Debbi Sheinman
28 Sep 2021I was so sorry to hear of Carson’s passing. His joy for the outdoors and hiking will always be remembered.
Denise Snow
28 Sep 2021Marian, I would like to express my condolences. Carson and I shared many memorable times together over many years and he will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful person, always so kind and giving, and exceptionally strong and hard to keep up with. The only thing I could beat him at was cross country skiing, but only on a groomed trail. His life was cut way to short, it was only several years ago that I hiked a 13 mile, 3000 feet gain trail with him. There are many memories I would like to share. Eric Hunter has asked me to write an article for the CMC. I am soliciting as many of his friends as I can track down in order to do him justice. If you have anything that you think should be included in this article please let me know (or any pictures you have). Denise
Katie Brennan
18 Nov 2021What a delightful, fun, compassionate person! And so many Carson stories to tell. Decades ago we were X-C over New Year’s weekend from Twin Lakes over Independence Pass to Aspen, then over Pearl Pass to Crested Butte, a ski of 5 days, 4 nights in frigid sub zero temps. The third night out, in a hut below Pearl Pass, our MSR fuel bottles were less than full. So Carson, being efficient, combined two bottles, pouring fuel from one partial bottle into another partial bottle. Sadly, the second bottle was not fuel, it was our supply of 150 proof rum. No more happy shots on that X-C. Thanks for the good times, Carson.