James (Coach) L. Bland, 81, of Greenville, passed away on February 26, 2021 at the Greenville Gardens Nursing Home. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Memoryland Memorial Park with Rev. George Bland, Rev. Candice Womack and Mr. John Rogers officiating. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12 noon until 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
Coach was born November 6, 1939 in Mississippi to John J. and Rosa V. Watkins Bland. He married his high school sweetheart Beverly Ann Barnard in 1959 and received his BS from University of North Texas and his Masters from East Texas State.
He retired from Greenville ISD, where he taught and coached for 30 years. After retiring he served three years on the GISD school board. Coach enjoyed spending summers in Colorado, making custom knives, hunting, gardening and bragging about his family.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann Bland of Greenville; daughters, Jami Rogers and husband, John of Whitehouse, April Kubicek and husband, Robert of Corinth; grandchildren, Chris Rogers, Nick Rogers and wife, Caitlin, Taylor Kirkpatrick and husband, Cassidy, Katelyn Kubicek, Caley Kubicek and Jon and Coleton Kubicek; and 6 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and 2 brothers and 1 sister.
Pallbearers will be Cassidy Kirkpatrick, Duane May, Chris Rogers, Nicholas Rogers, Coleton Kubicek and James Walters.
Memorials may be made to FISH – Hunt County Shared Ministries, 2805 King St., Greenville, Texas 75401.