John Robert Bland

KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, - John Robert Bland, 89, of King &Queen, died December 23, 2014 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. He was born December 2, 1925. John was preceded in death by his parents John Carlisle Bland and Lydia Hart Bland, a brother Carlisle Tazewell Bland and a sister Lylia (Lillie) Bland, He is survived by his sister Dorothy Ann Bland, a nephew Richard Carlisle Bland and several nieces. John retired from VDOT as a supervisor after 43 years of service. He served as First Assistant Chief and was a member of the Central King & Queen Fire Department for 42 years. John won many trophies in the parades throughout Virginia. He serves as Sergeant of Arms for the Rappahannock Fireman Association and was a member of the Virginia State Fire Fighters Association. John was a member of the NRA and the Virginia National Guard 1950. He received the King and Queen Volunteer Fire Department award in 1992 for service, dedication and leadership. He received the Community Builders in recognition of outstanding service to the community from the Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic Lodge #238, West Point, VA. John was awarded the Veteran of Foreign Wars award for meritorious and distinguished service in furthering the aims and ideas of the VFW of the United States. He was an active member of the Little Plymouth Hunt Club. He served as the Grand Marshall and led the parade in the King & Queen County 9th Annual Community Pride Day. John was a member of Old Church United Methodist Church, Shanghai, VA. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, December 28th, at Old Church United Methodist Church, 25614 The Trail, Mattaponi, VA 23110. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181. Memorials may be made to Old Church United Methodist Church, c/o Sandy Bartos 1213 Melrose Landing, Little Plymouth, VA 23091 or Central King & Queen Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 26, King & Queen Court House, VA, 23085. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.