Obituary of Ronnie Gene Bland

Ronnie G. Bland, 68, of Fort Worth, was called home by his Heavenly Father on January 19, 2024. He was loved by many and will be truly missed.

Ron was born in Mount Olive, North Carolina to Warden Miller (Mike) Bland and Betty Jean Tucker on March 30, 1955. His father was in the US Air Force, so he lived in several places during his childhood. The family settled in Goose Creek, South Carolina, where Ron attended high school and Trident Technical College. In April of 1974, Ron entered the United States Air Force and served his country until May of 1986. While stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, he met and married the love of his life, Deborah Lynn Schuler, USAF. They were married on January 22, 1977 and celebrated 47 wonderful years together. They were stationed at Hahn Air Base, Germany, from December 1977-1981 and have happy memories of traveling across Europe. In June of 1982, they returned to Carswell AFB and settled in Fort Worth to raise their two sons; Joshua (1982) and Jeremy (1984.)

After his discharge from the USAF, he worked at General Dynamics/Lockheed until his retirement in January 2015. Ron’s passions from an early age were flying, fishing and fixing.  He built and flew RC airplanes, flew his ultralight and computer simulated aircraft.  He loved boating and water sports and has enjoyed fishing since he was a young boy. He’s also been known to be a “fixer” of most anything! He had a wonderful sense of humor and we will miss his quick wit and laughter.

Ron is survived by his wife, Debbie, sons Joshua (Ashley) and Jeremy (Mary), grandchildren Henry and Evelyn, parents Mike and Betty, siblings Donnie (Simone), Anita (Rick Sedlak), Johnny (Tammy) and Gwendolyn (John Sedlak), and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, several aunts and uncles, and mother-in-law, Florence Ann Schuler.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project: 4899 Belfort Rd. Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.