On August 4, 1935, the Earth would forever be changed when Ronald Allen Bland, Sr. entered this world. He was the youngest child of Willie Bland, Sr., and Ruby Bland Marsh. As a child, he attended McEbright School and Garfield High School in Akron, Ohio. A talented student-athlete at Garfield High School, Ronald was a running back on the football team and a sprinter for the track team. The Akron Beacon Journal once identified him as one of the “Gridiron Greats” on the football team. Along with being exceptional in football, he was named to the All-City track team and held the 100-meter dash record for a long time until it was later broken by another student-athlete. It has been mentioned by the family that Ronald could still outrun his sons and their friends, even as an adult, on concrete…while wearing Stacy Adams!
Beginning at the young age of 16, Ronald added his talent to the “Rubber Capital of the World” industry by becoming an employee at Firestone until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1954. In the Army, he held the rank of Specialist 3. At the completion of his military duty, he returned to Akron, Ohio where he continued his employment at Firestone as a tire man in the mill room until his retirement. He eventually went on to work briefly for National City Bank and then for First Merit Bank where he also retired. When he was not working you could find him fishing at Avon Lake, at Thistledown Race Track, or relaxing at home watching football or the court shows.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Bland Sr. and Ruby Bland Marsh; his loving wife of 39 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Bland; sister, Anna Marie “Boo-Boo” Guthrie; brother, Willie Bland Jr., daughter-in-law, Toni Bland; grandson Ronald “Little” Bland III.
A hardworking and uplifting person, he leaves to cherish his memory sons, Ronald Bland Jr., Donald (Valerie) Bland, John Bland, David Bland and Jeffrey (Renee) Ludle all of Akron, Ohio; daughters, Ruby Bland, Jerylynn Bland, and Leslie Ludle all of Akron, Ohio. He is survived by his brother, Fredrick Bland; sister, Jean Johnson, and 1 sister-in-law, Helen Bland.
He leaves to cherish his life, 19 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Ronald will be missed by many in the Akron Community as he was a lifetime resident of the city. He was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Browns, where he would often attend their spring training camps to scout out the new talent. We will truly miss his great sense of humor as he loved to joke and make people laugh. There are many memories that we each hold dear of Ronald. However, one eternal memory of Ronald took place the day before he left his earthly body as he held his youngest daughter, Leslie’s hands, prayed with her, and accepted Christ as his personal Savior!