John Alan Bland

John Alan Bland, 59 of Farmington, passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family after a prolonged period of illness on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. He was born May 28, 1964, at Fairmont, a son of the late Harold and Nancy Saporito Bland.

John was a machinist by trade, proud to have worked a career for a span of 39 years producing parts for all types of industry from aerospace to coal mining, and oil and gas. Perhaps most importantly, John’s passion for his work was passed down to the next generation with both of his sons proudly following in their father’s footsteps and becoming machinists themselves. John was a technical man that always took the time to teach anyone willing to learn.

John loved his family and spent his life teaching his children how to homestead and live off the land, handing down the knowledge from generations of bakers, farmers, and gardeners. He was a forager that hunted for morels and ginseng, a trapper that hunted for red fox, grey fox, raccoon and mink. He rifle hunted for deer, pheasant, and turkey.

John loved baseball and was heavily involved with little league, coaching children for many years from T-ball to A-ball, following his son Austin through his baseball journey. He was a dedicated coach that took pride in teaching kids the fundamentals of baseball.

John was an avid fisherman who loved taking trips to Elk Rapids, MI and Lake Erie, PA catching Steelhead and trout and countless day trips with his son Zane, spending golden time catching trophies and making cherished memories.

John spent 37 years as a devoted husband to his loving wife Rhonda, creating the life that he lived and loved, raising three wonderful children whom he was incredibly proud of, cherishing the grandchildren he had and loving every moment he got to spend with them.

He loved working with his hands and creating things, for years he did woodcarving as a hobby and sold his wares at various markets. He made his own tools and machines and enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for his creations with others with things such as a handmade meat and cheese smoker and the famous spit turn chicken roaster. He also enjoyed golfing with his friends and never hesitated to create memories and happiness for his family.

Survived by his loving wife Rhonda Bland of Farmington, daughter Nicole Bland of Beaufort, SC, son Austin Bland and daughter-in-law Lindsey of Idamay, son Zane Bland of Farmington, grandson Finley Bland, granddaughters Everleigh and Kingsly Bland, and soon to arrive grandson Seeley Bland who he couldn’t wait to meet, a sister and brother-in-law Linda and Floyd Bissett of Mannington, and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Bland and sister-in-law Janice Rush Bland and brother-in-law Cory Toothman, whom he helped raise and instilled the love for machining, also having a career as a machinist.

John requested cremation with a celebration of life dinner to be held at the Farmington Community Building Saturday, October 21, 2023 starting at noon, all friends and family are welcome to attend.