James "Jim" Ray Bland

James “Jim” Ray Bland, 75, of Miami, OK, passed away on January 29, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones. Jim was born July 10, 1949 in Fairland, OK, after his “much older” twin sister, Judy, whom he kicked out about seven minutes prior to making his appearance, to Bert Sylvester & Mary Etta Bland. He started elementary school at Wyandotte, then the family moved to Fairland in the middle of his second grade year. He later graduated from Fairland High School in 1967. After graduation, he spent that summer on the Martin & Burgin Wheat Harvest team that started near the Oklahoma/Texas border and traveled north to The Dakotas. In August of 1967, he began attending NEO A&M College and joined the U.S. Army National Guard. Jim married Nancy Martin July 31, 1970, making their home in Fairland, and they welcomed their children: Aaron James in October of 1973 and Kellie Diane in March of 1976. Also in 1970, he was hired at B.F. Goodrich in Miami, OK and remained there until their closing in 1986. Upon closing, he returned to college earning his bachelors in Marketing & Management from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, MO. Wyandotte blood ran strong through his veins and he proudly served the nation he loved as Second Chief for over two decades. While in this role his heart was to find opportunities to promote economic development for the tribe and the citizens he served, such as acquiring trade schools and the creation of companies specializing in fiber optics and petroleum. An avid sports fan his whole life, he made no qualms letting everyone know that his allegiance was to the OU Sooners and St. Louis Cardinals. He also wholeheartedly supported and cheered for any sports teams his family members were playing on or coaching even after his ALS diagnosis and becoming wheel-chair bound. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Richard “Dick” Martin, nephew Lindle Divine, sister-in-law Linda Bland and three brothers-in-law, Beebe Mitchell, David Wilmoth and Larry Linn. He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Aaron (Jill) Bland, daughter Kellie (Todd) Dixon; four grandchildren, Greyson Williams, Avery Bland, Ethan Bland, and Bethany Dixon; seven siblings, Wanda (Eldon) Divine, Barbara (Charles) Stoner, Janice Wilmoth, John (Joyce) Bland, Judy Mitchell, Bert Bland Jr. (Theresa), Keven (Karrie) Bland; mother-in-law Reba Martin; sisters-in-law Donna Linn and Kathleen (Bob) Norman, a great many nieces and nephews, and a church family he loved dearly. Visitation for Jim will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Connexions Building behind the First Assembly of God in Miami. There will be a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Connexions Building behind the First Assembly of God in Miami with Minister Kurt Witten officiating. Interment will be at a later time at the Bland Family Cemetery. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Bland’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

James "Jim" Ray Bland

July 10, 1949 - January 29, 2025