Thomas H. Bland (1948–2025)
Thomas “Tom” Henry Bland, 76, of Burke, VA, died surrounded by family at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC and he gained his angel wings on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 3:31 PM.
Born in Raleigh, NC on November 2, 1948, Tom entered the world with a built-in best friend- his identical twin brother Bill of Waco, TX- proving early that life doubles the trouble AND the fun. The son of Dorothy Heater and William Archibald Bland, he grew up with a love of service that led him to Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and later to Goldsboro High School (Class of ’66). He earned a Business Administration degree from East Carolina University in 1971, and later a Master’s in Education from Old Dominion University.
Tom joined the U.S. Army Reserves before graduating college, eventually retiring as a Major after 28 years of service. He spent a year in Germany as an active-duty Inspector General during Operation Joint Endeavor in the Bosnian War. Off-duty, his career spanned stints at AT&T, Bank of America, serving clients as a licensed real estate agent, and shaping minds as a special education teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools.
He never met a community he didn’t like. Whether hosting guests at the family beach house in Surf City, NC, meeting his future wife through the Jaycees, or volunteering for the Fairfax County Democratic Party, Burke Historical Society and Fairfax Station Railroad Museum- Tom was always busy. He was also a beloved parishioner of Pohick Episcopal Church for 45 years and a fixture in the Burke Centre community.
Tom has been reunited in heaven with his baby daughter Kari Lynn, his brother Robert “Bob,” and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Diana Kramer Bland; his twin brother Bill and younger brother Richard; his daughter Bob Bland; and cherished grandchildren Penny Virginia and Chloe Olivia.
Beachside Celebration of Life
Friday, August 1 • 5:00–7:00 PM
2735 S Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Funeral & Burial Service, followed by reception
Saturday, August 9 • 2:00 PM
Pohick Episcopal Church
9301 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079
All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend and share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations to the family’s GoFundMe page to assist with medical and funeral expenses would be gratefully received.
Tom was a George Washington Chapter, Virginia SAR member who joined the SAR October 9, 1990 as a compatriot descendant of William Bland, who was a soldier in the North Carolina Militia from Duplin County.