Earl James Black, 87, died Wednesday, February 6. Earl, a longtime Oklahoma City resident, served in the 381st Bombardment Group in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-17 tail gunner, flying 35 combat missions in the closing years of World War II. After discharge, he went to work for Shell Oil, working as a surveyor in various locations in the United States and Canada. After leaving Shell Oil, he returned with his family to Oklahoma City where he went to work for the federal government at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City. He retired from Tinker in 1988, spending the years after retirement traveling (mainly to the Grand Canyon); frequenting several south OKC restaurants with his wife Jean; and enjoying coffee, newspapers, and his grandchildren at McDonalds. Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Jean, his parents, two sisters, and a brother. He is survived by two sisters, four daughters, three sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.