Lawrence R. Bland

Lawrence Reginald "Reggie" Bland, 89, departed this life peacefully on August 6, 2013, at his residence after a serious illness. Reggie was born on March 30, 1924, to William Dewey and Rachel Frances Bland, the second of four children, in Rutland, Ohio.

When Reggie was 10, the family moved to Glouster, Ohio, a mining town where Reggie and his two surviving siblings attended grade, junior and high school. There was no work in this small mining town for young men, so Reggie began to venture out. World War II was going on and factories in different towns and cities began hiring. Reggie moved to Columbus and worked at the Army Depot until he was laid off. His next job was in Canton, Ohio as a welder at Timken Roller Bearing. After a layoff there, Reggie moved to Detroit, MI and worked as a welder for Ford Motor Company. After a layoff at Ford, Reggie returned to Columbus, married and had four children. He worked at Westinghouse Electric for many years. Reggie was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was also an excellent auto mechanic and worked many part-time jobs at car dealerships.
In his later years, Reggie owned a taxi business and drove a taxi until he was 80 years old.

Reggie was a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for 32 years.

Reggie was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothea and brother, Albert. He is survived by his children; son, Michael Bland of New York; daughters, Melissa Bland of Laurel, Maryland, Brenda Hammonds and Deena (John) Hughes of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Arnetta Stinson; sister-in-law, Helen Bland; grandsons, Terence Hammonds and Jonathan Davis; several cousins and many friends.

Reggie will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 PM on Monday, August 12, 2013, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 428 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, with Visitation 1 hour prior. Dr. Charles E. Booth will officiate. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, 3349 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staffs of Mt. Carmel Medical Center and hospice services for all their devoted care to Reggie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Lawrence R. Bland be made to Mt. Carmel Hospice, 6150 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43213 (phone 614-234-0200).