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John Earl Bland, 72, took his final breath, surrounded by the overflowing love of family, as his long health battles came to an end early Wednesday morning, November 2, 2022.
John is survived by his wife, Julia Bland of Hampton, Tenn.; his four children, daughters Jennifer Webb Morgan and Shelia Trout, and sons William Alexander and Spencer Bryan Tart; sister Gayla Jensen and husband Carl of Elizabethton, and sister Rebecca Dugan and husband Mark of Gray, Tenn.; and sister-in-law Kathy Bland of Elizabethton.
John was a proud grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to a plethora of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. John’s life was full of service to his family and community. He served Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia as a Broker and Owner of Mountain Homes Realty and Custom Log Homes in Bluff City. He had a long history of public service with the Carter County Animal Shelter, Relay for Life, The Children’s Guitar program with the Boys and Girls Club, and he was always the life of the party, sharing his musical talents with the community and his church family at the Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roan Mountain.
In lieu of flowers, John requested that gifts be directed toward an organization that he worked hard to establish. The Friends of the Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter (FECCAS) was created as a non-profit organization (501c3) in 2010. Originally known as the Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter Building Fund, John helped raise nearly a quarter of the original cost of building the current shelter. As FECCAS, we continue to fundraise in aid of our shelter. Donations may be made to: “The Friends of Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter” https://www.feccas.org/ Email: friends@feccas.org
Cards and well wishes will be received at 118 Forgotten Lane, Hampton, Tenn. John’s bigger than life presence and his infectious smile will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life Service is planned to be held in mid to late April of 2023.