John Edward Bland

John Edward Bland, Jr., age 90, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on May 24, 2017 at his home. He was born January 23, 1927 in Carthage, Ark., the son of the late John Edward and Antonia Wylie Bland. John received a bachelor's degree from Henderson State University and a master's from East Texas State University. He was a retired school teacher at Amarillo Public Schools and a timber land owner. John was a member of First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. He was a United States Navy veteran having served aboard the USS Columbia during World War II. John is survived by his wife, Bobbie Kelly Bland of Arkadelphia, two sons, John Edward Bland III (Melinda) of Laguna Vista, Texas, and Richard Kelly Bland (Brenda) of Lindale, Texas, two daughters, Virginia Ann Bland of Baton Rouge, La. and Martha Karen Foerster (Larry) of Conroe, Texas, nine grandchildren, Jenny Hodnett (Jason), Kelly Howerton (David), Dr. Ross Bland (Lorena), Lindsay Shary (Conor), Emily Dominey (Barkley), Daniel Foerster, and Kevin, Jessica and John Bland, eight great grandchildren, and one brother, James Ross Bland (JoAnn) of Kenner, La. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 First United Methodist Church with Revs. Travis Langley, Bob Langley and Jessica Durand officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery at Carthage. Memorials may be made to Methodist Family Health Foundation, P.O. Box 56050, Little Rock, Ark. 72215, Log a Load for Kids, c/o Arkansas Forestry Association, 1213 W. 4th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201 or First United Methodist Church, 107 N 9th Street, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923. The family would like to thank the many special friends, caregivers, Baptist Hospice along with all of John's forestry friends. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.