Denison, Texas -- Steve Olen Black, 77, of Denison, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Thursday, July 16, 2026. Born in Dallas, November 20, 1949, Steve graduated from North Dallas High School in 1968. Steve earned his Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology Degree in 1972 from North Texas State University, now University of North Texas. Steve continued his collegiate studies at North Texas State University where he fell in love with art, earning his second degree, a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in 1977.
During his studies, Steve met who he lovingly referred to as an Earth Goddess, his soulmate, Judy Beth Kent, in a ceramics class and was married April 2, 1977. Steve always insisted it was love at first sight and that Judy taught him the meaning of love and how to love.
He taught art courses at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona from 1978-1980 while earning his BFA. Steve’s passion for art led him to Arizona State University where he graduated with his Master’s of Fine Art in Painting in 1980. After graduation, Steve was signed on to the Arizona Commission of the Arts as an Artist in Residence in Page, Arizona. He also taught art courses at Yavapai College in Arizona.
Steve and Judy moved back to Dallas, Texas where Steve taught art history, design and art appreciation at Bauder College until it closed its doors in 1995. After accepting a position at Grayson College, Steve and Judy along with their children Sarah and Cory moved to Denison, Texas in 1996. Steve taught design, painting, drawing, 3-D design, art history, art appreciation, and figure drawing at Grayson College for 21 years, retiring in December of 2017.
Steve exhibited his art as a gallery member at 500X, Moss/Chumbly Gallery, and Craighead-Green, all in Dallas, Texas. In 2003 Steve was invited to participate in the Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea in Florence, Italy. In 2024, Steve was featured in the film The Story of Arts in America, which highlighted the art scene in his beloved Denison community.
While making art was his passion, Steve believed teaching at the collegiate level was his calling. In his over 4 decades of teaching, Steve continually sought to engage students, nurture their skills, teach how to make meaningful and intentional art, all while encouraging students to pursue and artistic role in their local community.
One of Steve’s mottos was, “If you are not having fun, you are not making art.”
Steve was a major contributor and mentor within his community through his participation with the Denison Arts Council. He was passionate about continuing his and fellow artists’ art education and began leading Skiddy Street Puppet workshops, spearheading the Dia de Los Muertos Puppet Parade in downtown Denison, and volunteering his time to lead workshops for elementary students.
While both showing and volunteering at the 517 Gallery, he continually encouraged the community to constantly create and make new art, as well as participate in MailArt and Free Art Saturdays. Steve was one of the original founders of SMAACC, holding an open invitation for the Sunday Morning Art and Coffee Club that meets weekly at Panera Bread to discuss all things community and art.
As Reverend Burnett Downn, Steve has also contributed to Denison’s Doc Holliday Festivities by providing licenses for the fair Ladies and Gents of Skiddy Street.
In his retirement, Steve enjoyed creating art and celebrating other artist’s accomplishments. He also loved sharing his love of the arts with his grandchildren: creating papier-mâché houses for hot wheel cities, making dinos and dolls out of toilet paper cardboards, painting rocks, creating food art, and all other varying arts and crafts time in his studio. He loved to cook for his family and watch his beautiful bride work in her garden, creating her own form of art with her amazing green thumbs.
Steve was proceeded in death by his parents Wilmer Olen Black and Naomi Irene Black of Dallas, Texas.
Steve is survived by his loving wife, Judy Kent Black, of 49 years; his two children Sarah Kent Thompson and Cory Houston Black; his son-in-law Mark Edward Thompson and daughter-in-law Dena Rabie Black; his four grandchildren Jackson Thompson, Lana Black, Connor Thompson, and Layla Black; his sisters Linda Engelking and Kayla Click; brother-in-laws Neal Click and Bill Kent and sister-in-law Cindy Kent, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial wake will be held from 2:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. at the family’s home Monday, July 20, 2026. In lieu of flowers, respects and memorial donations can be made to the “Honoring the Legacy of Steve O. Black” memorial fund through the Denison Arts Council’s website.
