Dr. James Ellsworth Bland's Obituary
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Dr. James Bland returned home to his Heavenly Father, his
beloved parents, grandparents, and brothers after a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old.
James was born on March 26th, 1935, at home in a rural farmhouse in San Benito, Texas where
he spent his early childhood years. At age 17, he dropped out of high school to join the Marine Corps.
Over the next four years, he proudly played the bugle in the Drum and Bugle corps, traveling extensively
around the Pacific serving the country he loved dearly. He continued his service for two more years as a
reservist while pursuing his education at The University of Texas at Austin.
After completing medical school at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at
Dallas, with additional training in both neurosurgery and vascular surgery, James began a 47-year career
as a neurosurgeon. He began practicing at St. Paul Hospital and Methodist Hospital before becoming a
founding staff member of Medical City Dallas. During his time there, he served as President of the
Medical Staff, and became one of the world’s foremost carotid artery surgeons, authoring several
professional articles on the procedure he perfected. Following his retirement from private practice in
2002, he continued to assist his longtime partner Dr. Martin Lazar. James was a gifted surgeon who
followed his calling to be a healer and was deeply devoted to his profession.
In addition to spending time with his beloved family, James found time for a number of hobbies
including boating, flying, water-skiing, riding motorcycles, traveling, tennis, bridge and snow-skiing. He
was a voracious reader with a nearly photographic memory and had a lifelong interest in American
history, and spoke fluent Spanish.
James is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carol, and his four daughters – Mrs. Dana
Watson of New Braunfels and her husband Mr. Butch Watson, Mrs. Teri Estes of Dallas, Ms. Sharyl
Dawkins of Carrollton, and Ms. Meridyth Griffin of Dallas. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 22 at 10:00 am in the morning at
Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX.
He will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving and loyal man who was a faithful
servant of Christ and strove to live a life of Christian virtue and charity.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?