George Isham Bland

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    Bland
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George Isham Bland, 78, of McMillan, Okla., found joy and laughter in his journey through life. After a long battle with cancer, he died on February 9, 2021. He was born in Ada, Okla. on January 20, 1943, when he surprised his parents, Collier and Winifred Bland, by being born. They had no idea they were having twins.

George grew up in Roff, Okla., alongside twin Charles and four sisters; Barbara, Judy, Colleen, and Jan. George’s family moved to Fort Worth, Texas his junior year of high school where he graduated from R. L. Paschal High School.

George took pride in his Navy service during the VietNam war as a radioman aboard the USS Enterprise from 1963-1967. He was recognized as a leader onboard, and from 5,000 sailors was selected as “Man of the Month.” He was such a patriot he thought Donald Trump needed his money.

In his younger years, he was a journeyman carpenter before going to work in the welding supply business for 45 years. He was selected Boss of the Year in 1983 by the Business & Professional Women. He ended his career with Praxair in Madill. He loved his customers.

George took fashion advice from no one. He wore plaid shirts and Dickies Monday through Friday, overalls on Saturday, and white shirts on Sunday. He always wore Old Spice and thought Mentholatum, Absorbine Jr., and Campho-phenique could cure anything.

He loved OU football, the Dallas Cowboys and the Madill Wildcats. He took his wife, Sharon Speir Bland, to a Texas Ranger baseball game on their first date and when she got hit in the head by a flyball he knew she was a woman that could use her head. He kept the ball and the girl for the rest of his life.

George laughed a lot even if there was nothing funny. He was addicted to candy, Hallmark movies, sports, Fox news and God. He served as the Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 9 years. His pets brought him surprising comfort in his last years. His grandchildren were big fans of his Saturday breakfasts.

He was a one-of-a-kind Dad to Joey Bland, wife Sheri, of Gainesville, Texas; Scott Bland of Gainesville, Texas; Rebekah Courreges Little and husband, Danny of Temple, Texas; Stephen Courreges and wife, Cathy, of Mount Pleasant, Texas; Justin Bland and wife, Stephanie, of Celina, Texas; James Bland and wife, Brittany, of Haslet, Texas; and Sarah Bland Emery and husband, Paul, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He is survived by eight granddaughters; Amber, Audrey, Shelby, Claire, Loralai, Bella, Parker, and Genevieve; and seven grandsons; Matthew, Sam, Seth, Cody, Caleb, Campbell, and Nolan. He also has four great-grandsons; Samuel, Heston, Asher, and Bryson.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, of the home, and his sisters Colleen Morrow and Jan Homer of Farmersville, Texas, and numerous other friends and family.

A celebration of his life was held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4123 Prairie Valley Road, Ardmore, Oklahoma, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and services were at 2:00 p.m. Burial followed in the McMillan Cemetery. Service was under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.

Casket Bearers were Joey Bland, Son, Justin Bland, Son, Steve Courreges, Son, Paul Emery, Son-in-Law, Danny Little, Son-in-Law, Sam Little, Grandson, Cody Little, Grandson, and Steve Speir, Brother-in-Law.