On April 13, 1977, Jesse Len Black Was born in Iraan, Texas to Scott and Linda Oestreich Black. Jesse attended elementary school in Encinal, Texas, where his dad was the game warden. At the age of 8, Jesse and his family were welcomed in Menard, Texas. Jesse excelled in academics, music and was a UIL competitor from an early age. He also found his love of cooking as a 4-H food show competitor. Who can forget his famous guacamole dip?
As a senior, he was the UIL State Champion in Computer Applications, a trumpet soloist for the Menard Yellowjacket Band, a member of the National Honor Society, an extemporaneous speaker, and a member of the First United Methodist Church.
After high school, Jesse went to Angelo State University, his mother's alma mater. He graduated with a BA and soon after, earned his master's degree in Business. While at ASU, Jesse sang in the ASU choir, played the trumpet for the ASU band for four years, and traveled with ASU to Luneberg, Germany, for a summer session for perfecting his German language skills ... and learned the art of drinking beer.
After graduation, Jesse worked at ASU in the financial aid department and taught computer science. With those teaching skills, Jesse surprised his family by moving to the Czech Republic to teach English in Prague, which turned him into a 'grammar cop,' and Prague certainly made him an expert in the appreciation of fine beer.
Jesse was an extraordinary chef, publishing his own collection of recipes in The Dizzy Chefs Cookbook, A Foodie's Guide which delighted his friends and family. Recently, he helped to edit the Kothmann Family cookbook which reflected his German heritage along the Llano River near Castell, Texas. No one was surprised when he became a brew master, a hobby which led to his job at Austin Homebrew.
Never one to sit still, Jesse performed in musicals with the San Angelo Civic Theater, having a fine baritone voice and a performer's heart. He was in the production of ''The King and I,' and was unforgettable as Buffalo Bill in the theater's 'Annie, Get Your Gun.' Recently, he was a cast member in movies produced in the Austin area. One of the movies centered around a true-life ax murder in Wylie, Texas. Daily, his Facebook posts would relate every detail of the movie set, even the 'interesting' or 'meager'' or 'What is this?' food served on the sets. No one could ever say he didn't have an opinion!
Jesse is preceded in death by his grandparents Leonard and Willie Mae Bode Oestreich and Wade and Topsy Mildred Black. He is survived by his parents Linda and Scott Black; sister Stacy (Mike) Bell; nephew Nickolas (Brittany & Noah); niece Kimberly Bell; uncles Larry (Brenda) Black, Don (Becky) Black; as well as many cousins and friends who are left to share his memory.
Memorials in his honor may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Menard or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of the life of Jesse Len Black will be held at the Menard Country Club on Saturday, April 15, 2023. In celebration of his life and love of beer, the first beer will be on Jesse.