Bobby Gene Bland

Bobby Gene Bland was born on November 28, 1933, in Keokuk Falls, in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 83. Bobby, the son of Colvin Rutledge and Rena Zonar (Watkins) Bland, was a resident of Prague. He graduated from Centerview High School in 1952. Bobby served in the United States Army, including a tour in Germany where one of his duties was to guard prisoners at Spandau Prison located in Western Berlin. He married Norma Gayle Andrew on June 28, 1956. Norma preceded Bobby in death on February 23, 2009. Bobby married Rae Ellen Rains on January 12, 2012. He was a retired firefighter after serving Oklahoma City for over 20 years. During that time he also owned and operated a landscaping business up to 1971. Bobby was a member of Deer Creek Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, fishing, trapping, and playing cards and dominos. Bobby’s parents, sister, Wanda Green, and wife, Norma Gayle (Andrew) Bland preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Rae (Heinzig) Bland, of Prague; daughter and son-in-law,Linda D. and Rick Lee, of Prague; son, Steven D. Bland, of Prague; grandchildren, Kristen M. Rosanelli, of Oklahoma City, Whitney N. Lee, of Alexandria, VA, Tiffany Longenbaugh, of Texas, Josh Bland, of Prague; 13 Great grandchildren; sister, Joyce McCool, of Overland Park, KS; brother, David Bland, of Prague; nieces and nephews, and many other family and friends. The Bland family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 2:00 PM, at Deer Creek Baptist Church in Stroud with Rev. Mike Haynes officiating. Interment will follow at Garden Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.