Richard Bland

Richard Dean (RD “Dick”) Bland,92, Enid, OK passed away on Wednesday, August 8th following a short illness. Visitation will be held Monday, August 13th from 5:30-7PM at Anderson Burris Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 2PM, Tuesday, August 14th at the Enid Cemetery with Curt Johnston officiating. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.
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RD was born in Enid, OK on October 26, 1925 to Orin T. and Goldye Bland. He had a twin brother, Dwain. He graduated from Enid High School and both young men begged their parents to enlist in the Army Air Corps. RD was stationed in Ridgewell, England with the 381st Bomb group, the Bat Out of Hell Squadron as a waist gunner on a B-17, the Fox. On a bombing raid over Brux, Czechoslovakia,on Feb. 14th, 1945, the Fox was hit and the crew bailed out. RD was taken prisoner of war and declared missing in action. He was honorably discharged in Dec. 1945 and received the Purple Heart. On November 14, 1945 he married Frances Johnson. He worked a variety of jobs and ran his own electrical business until retiring at the age of 70.
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RD was an avid fisherman and hunter along with his brother Dwain, they enjoyed taking many celebrities and businessmen on hunts during the Grand National Quail Hunt. In 2014, RD was awarded the Woodring Wall of Honor Legacy Veteran of the Year. RD loved spending time with his grandkids and the great grandchildren provided so much joy in his later years.
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He is survived by his daughter, Lisa and husband, Mark Selix of Enid, OK; a son Richard O. Bland and wife, O’ Rita, Tomball, TX. Grandchildren, Richard Cody Bland & Tyler Bland, Portland, OR, Cole and Amy Selix, Moore, OK, Matt and Rae Selix, Enid, OK, Maggie and Michael Hudson, Del City, OK. Great grandchildren, Xander and Edie Selix, Moore, Trace and Buck, Enid, OK. RD was preceded in death by his parents, brother, wife, Frances and daughter, Dana.
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In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warriors or Disabled American Veterans with the funeral home acting as custodian. Condolences may be made online at www.andersonburris.com.
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