Thomas Black Obituary
No formal services are planned for Thomas Kenneth Black who was born April 19, 1968 in Roswell, NM to the home of Helen Mae (Riley) and Billy Joe Black, and passed from this life at his home in Portales on Aug.19, 2026. T. J. as he was known among family and friends lived in several locations during his early years. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Army, and served as a Medic in South Korea. He actually returned to the United States on his 21st birthday.
After his discharge he worked at various jobs before becoming a heavy equipment operator for the railroad. In 1996, he was married to Tammy Cockrell. The couple had two daughters together before divorcing.
Mr. Black became an independent trucker, and through the years had driven for a variety companies. He loved being on the open road where he could listen to his western audio books and his favorite music. In his off time he would often just drive to clear his mind and continue listening. He enjoyed watching western movies and watching episodes of MASH. He was very interested in American history, and would often tell his daughters stories of our history.
He and Annabelle Garcia had been friends for twenty-five years or more, and that friendship had developed into a life partner relationship. He was very attentive to caring for her various medical needs and appointments.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kacey and Hunter Bradbury of Great Falls, MT and Misty and Samuel Pressman of Brooklyn, NY; two grandchildren, Slade and Rylin Bradbury; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Billy Joe Black, Jr. and his wife, Carmen of Portales and Dustin Burrows of Los Angeles, CA; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sissie and Mike Mirhashemi of San Antonio, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents and his life companion, Annabelle.
