David Morris Bland, Sr.

A man who wore many hats, David served in the Air Force, was a Christian missionary to the Navajo, a milkman, a school bus driver, a skilled auto mechanic, and ultimately, was employed by Northrop Grumman, where he would eventually retire. He sometimes worked three jobs to support his wife and seven children.

David took night classes to secure a diploma since he was unable to finish school before joining the Air Force. His free time was spent either tending his thriving vegetable garden or visiting with his family; but he also made time to volunteer in his church, Hickory Grove Baptist, where he was a beloved deacon, and bus driver to children who had no means to get to church.

David was a man of deep faith who loved the Lord and was a good Samaritan to his core. If he came across anyone stopped on the side of the road with car trouble, he would pull over and offer to help, towing them home, or pushing them out of a ditch. He was your friend whether he knew you or not, and he gave of himself easily, and without hesitation. He was the embodiment of brotherly and fatherly love.

He is survived by his wife, Ellie Bland, his children, Angela Albrecht (Tim Albrecht), Ouida Howell (Andrew Howell), Beth Brandt (David Brandt), David Bland, Jr. (Karen Bland), Rob Bland (Laura Bland), Jessica Hanson (Mike Hanson) and Stephen Bland, along with his siblings, Helen Lamson (Cliff Lamson), Charles Bland, Richard Bland (Rose Bland), Victor Bland (Sylvia Bland), Bill Bland, Roger Bland and Gloria Muenzmay (Paul Muenzmay), as well as his step-children, Jeff Graham (Renee Graham), Terry Graham and Holly Davis (Brian Davis), and finally his 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved so dearly.