If you knew Henry Ray Bland, then you knew him as Ray.    You also knew that he was "one tough sucker".   Ray kept his appointment with his Savior on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  Ray was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on May 27, 1937, to the late Henry C. Bland and Gordie Lee Perkins.

After completing high school, Ray joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country.   Upon returning to civilian life, he met and married Mary Lou McAdams.   It wasn't long until they welcomed a bouncy baby boy into their lives and followed a short time later with a daughter.   Ray had various jobs throughout his early career, then finally found his calling.   He logged many miles as a long-haul truck driver and finished out his career as a dispatcher for Lion Oil Trucking.   When Ray wasn't on the road, he enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, and his family.   In his later years, he developed a love for reading (even moved into the new era with his Kindle), watching Gunsmoke and other westerns, NASCAR, along with Razorback basketball.   He was a member of Wyatt Baptist Church.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his oldest sister, Doris Labit and his son, Jeffery A. Bland.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of 60 years, Mary Lou McAdams Bland of El Dorado, AR; daughter Sharon Bland Graves of El Dorado; three grandchildren Brooke Taunton Saha (Shiva) of East Brunswick, NJ, Morgan Taunton Clark (Chris) of Smackover, AR, and Jeremy Bland of Little Rock, AR; five great-grandchildren Geneva and Tristan Hensley of Smackover, AR, Annika, Ellora, and Devan Saha of East Brunswick, NJ.   He also leaves behind his twin sister, Faye Bland Richard of Thibodeaux, LA, as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Perry's Funeral Chapel in El Dorado.   A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until time-of-service Saturday at the funeral home located at 312 West Oak Street in El Dorado, AR.    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Chemo Angels who work so hard to serve others receiving treatment at CARTI-El Dorado.   Donations may be mailed to Chemo Angels, PO Box 11314, El Dorado, AR 71730.   A special thanks to the staff at CARTI-El Dorado for the compassion and care to all those fighting the good fight.