Samuel George Bland

SAMUEL GEORGE BLAND Graveside inurnment services for lifelong Cortez resident, Samuel George Bland will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7 at the Cortez Cemetery. Reverend Jonathan Bland will be officiating. Sam was born on March 27, 1937 in rural Bayfield, Colo. the son of Jack David and Ann (Cooper) Bland. He passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2005 at his home in Cortez at the age of 68. Sam was a Navy veteran who defended his country during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He maintained his membership with the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Reading was a passion of Sam’s. In his past years hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes. Surviving Sam were his mother, Ann Bland of Cortez; his children, Lynda Gosnell and husband, Bob of Cortez, Cathy Frederick and husband, Steve of Mesa, Ariz., and Carmen Serrano of Tucson, Ariz. He leaves six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his father, Jack Bland; and his brother and sister, David Bland and Carol Bland Whitson.