James Edward Bland Sr.

~~James E. Bland, Sr. “Jim” as he was affectionately called by many, made his transition home to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
James E. Bland, Sr. was born 91 years ago on December 9, 1923 in Quitman, Mississippi.  He was the son of James and Ophelia Bland. 
James received his education in the Clarke County School System in Quitman, Mississippi.  He accepted Christ in his youth and was united with Shady Grove Church. 
James E. Bland, Sr. and Ora (nee: Caster) Bland were married in 1944 in Mt. Vernon, Alabama.  This union was blessed with four children, Kathryn, James Jr., Jacquelyn and Patricia.  They moved to Racine, Wisconsin in 1947 and he became employed by the J.I. Case Company as a crane operator until his retirement in 1981.  As the children grew older and there became a growing need for school and college funds, he took on a second occupation in the rental housing business, and then a third occupation running his own service station for many years.  Many of his children and grandchildren developed that entrepreneurial spirit from him and began businesses of their own.
James belonged to the J.I. Case 20 Year Club and he belonged to the Retired Cavaliers Club.
He greatly enjoyed all of our family gatherings.  He would look at all of the children and the generations and say to his wife, “it started with us two.”   He was the consummate family man.  The name James E. Bland, Sr. and “family man” accurately describes how he lived.  He encouraged and supported his children in their every endeavor.  He loved to take the family traveling and particularly sharing is heritage with them at family reunions.  Not only was he a father to his own children but he accepted a father role to many other children, assisting with their needs also.
James was an avid sportsman and his passion was hunting and fishing.  He claimed not to have the best eyesight because he wore glasses, yet his hunting buddies were always amazed at his ability to consistently out-shoot them.
James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ophelia Bland; his grandsons, Dante Bland and Shawn Jenkins; his sisters, Lovie Perry, Margaret Brooks and Hardy Blackwell and his brothers, Benny Eatman, Timothy Bland and Toby Bland.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife of 70 years, Ora Bland; his children, Kathryn (Franklin) Jenkins of Brown Deer, WI;  James Jr. (Patricia) Bland of Racine, WI;  Jacquelyn Bland of Milwaukee, WI and Patricia  (Melvin) Williams of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren, Katrina Bland of Dallas, TX, Tiffany Durham of Brown Deer, WI, Felicia (Maushae) Byles of Racine, WI,  James Bland IV of Dallas, TX, Martha Johnson of Madison, WI and Darren Johnson-Hayes of Racine, WI; great-grandchildren, Briana King of Racine, WI,  Isiah Robertson of Las Vegas, NV, Brandon Jenkins of Oconomowoc, WI,  Reyven Mosley of Racine, WI,  Jimmie Horne of Brown Deer, WI,  Blair Jenkins and  Dantedra Bland both of Milwaukee, WI,  Asia Mosley, Racine, WI,  Jaylin Durham of Brown Deer, WI,  Danny Mosley, Jr. of Racine, WI,  Christopher Mathis of Dallas, TX, Tailor Durham of Brown Deer, WI,  Jordan Haynes of Rancho Cucamonga,  CA, Keshawn Bland and Amari Byles both of Racine, WI, Tawan Shannon and  Khalayh Willliams both of Madison, WI,  Darren Johnson-Hayes, Dakori Johnson-Hayes, Cheyenne Johnson-Hayes, Damon Johnson-Hayes and Dainika Johnson-Hayes all of  Racine, WI; great-great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Horne of Milwaukee, WI, Javonte Hunter, Xavier Hernandez and Darion Baker all of Racine, WI, Kaliah Robertson of Las Vegas, NV; and one brother, Clarence Bland of Racine, WI, as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many, many friends. 

Family and friends are invited to join the family to celebrate Mr. Bland's life at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St., 11:00am, on Friday, February, 13, 2015.  Visitation will be at the church from 10:00am until the time of service.