John moved to Las Vegas at an early age. He attended Las Vegas High School and graduated in 1968. Upon his graduation he drafted into the US Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama before being shipped out to Belgium, There he was assigned to work with NATO where he completed his military obligations.
Upon his return to Las Vegas he married Vera Lacey and they ad sons Lorenzo and John.
He worked at the Nevada Test Site for the D.O.E until his retirement.
He was proceeded in death by his father John Wesley Bland and Sister Evelyn Clay.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Vera Bland, two sons Lorenzo (Ingrid) and John, mother Ora Bland, two sisters Fay Simms, Tressie Jackson (Tommie), two granddaughters Johnice and Lia, one grandson Landon, three great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and coworkers.