Obituary for Bruce Lavelle Bland
Bruce Lavelle Bland, 95, of Midlothian, TX passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 in the Methodist Mansfield hospital.
Bruce was born in Mabank to Bud and Myrtle Vanderford Bland on August 30, 1925. Shortly after graduation from Mabank High School in 1942, he joined the Army reserves and became active duty in 1943 serving until 1949. In 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force serving until 1952.
After returning to Grand Prairie, Bruce met Hazel Rodgers and two married in 1954 and later welcomed their son, Ronald Bruce Bland.
Bruce worked for Texas and Pacific Railroad, Ford Motor Company, Philco Ford, and Texstar Plastics as an accountant, as well as a sports reporter at the Grand Prairie News. Upon retirement, Bruce and Hazel volunteered as “Bear Hunters” for Baylor University and began recruiting for the university at local high schools. Despite having never attended Baylor, Bruce had a deep love for the university and great pride that his grandchildren will both soon be Baylor Alumni.
As an adult, he served for 12 years on the Grand Prairie ISD Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1983 and was also President of the North Texas Association of School Boards. He was also active in PTAs and coached youth basketball and baseball. Most importantly to Bruce, he served his church family. He became a deacon at First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie in 1968. He taught many groups over the years, including youth, college & career, singles and adults, and volunteered as the adult coordinator for over 20 years. Bruce moved to Midlothian in 2011 to be closer to his grandkids and again became active in the church and community. He was a member of the Explorers group, a deacon, and a regular attender at FBC Midlothian.
For most of his time in Midlothian, you could find Bruce at the local Whataburger or Caroline’s Country Café until it was time to pick up his grandchildren from school. Bruce never met a stranger and will be remembered for his love for the church, his family, Baylor, and sports. He was very active in the lives of his grandchildren and if you spent any amount of time with him, you would quickly hear how proud Bruce was of the kid’s latest accomplishments. He lived a long, productive, and happy life and his family is comforted knowing that he was welcomed into his eternal home in Heaven, earlier this week.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents: Bud and Myrtle Bland, his brother and sister: Glenn Bland and Enone Palmer, and his wife: Hazel Rogers Bland. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Ron and Chantel Bland, granddaughter: Samantha Bland, grandson: Christopher Bland, niece and her husband: Jo and Vince Freese, and great nephew and his wife: Blake and Laura Freese, along with many other extended family members and friends.
The funeral service for Bruce will take place at FBC Midlothian on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 10:00 AM. The burial will be in Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, in the FBC Midlothian Chapel. Please come join us in celebrating Bruce’s life.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Explorers at FBC Midlothian.
Bruce was born in Mabank to Bud and Myrtle Vanderford Bland on August 30, 1925. Shortly after graduation from Mabank High School in 1942, he joined the Army reserves and became active duty in 1943 serving until 1949. In 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force serving until 1952.
After returning to Grand Prairie, Bruce met Hazel Rodgers and two married in 1954 and later welcomed their son, Ronald Bruce Bland.
Bruce worked for Texas and Pacific Railroad, Ford Motor Company, Philco Ford, and Texstar Plastics as an accountant, as well as a sports reporter at the Grand Prairie News. Upon retirement, Bruce and Hazel volunteered as “Bear Hunters” for Baylor University and began recruiting for the university at local high schools. Despite having never attended Baylor, Bruce had a deep love for the university and great pride that his grandchildren will both soon be Baylor Alumni.
As an adult, he served for 12 years on the Grand Prairie ISD Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1983 and was also President of the North Texas Association of School Boards. He was also active in PTAs and coached youth basketball and baseball. Most importantly to Bruce, he served his church family. He became a deacon at First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie in 1968. He taught many groups over the years, including youth, college & career, singles and adults, and volunteered as the adult coordinator for over 20 years. Bruce moved to Midlothian in 2011 to be closer to his grandkids and again became active in the church and community. He was a member of the Explorers group, a deacon, and a regular attender at FBC Midlothian.
For most of his time in Midlothian, you could find Bruce at the local Whataburger or Caroline’s Country Café until it was time to pick up his grandchildren from school. Bruce never met a stranger and will be remembered for his love for the church, his family, Baylor, and sports. He was very active in the lives of his grandchildren and if you spent any amount of time with him, you would quickly hear how proud Bruce was of the kid’s latest accomplishments. He lived a long, productive, and happy life and his family is comforted knowing that he was welcomed into his eternal home in Heaven, earlier this week.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents: Bud and Myrtle Bland, his brother and sister: Glenn Bland and Enone Palmer, and his wife: Hazel Rogers Bland. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Ron and Chantel Bland, granddaughter: Samantha Bland, grandson: Christopher Bland, niece and her husband: Jo and Vince Freese, and great nephew and his wife: Blake and Laura Freese, along with many other extended family members and friends.
The funeral service for Bruce will take place at FBC Midlothian on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 10:00 AM. The burial will be in Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, in the FBC Midlothian Chapel. Please come join us in celebrating Bruce’s life.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Explorers at FBC Midlothian.