John "Jay" Jeffrey Bland

Jay left behind a legacy of kindness, love, and inspiration for all who knew him. His positive energy, calm demeanor, and unwavering strength and determination in the face of adversity made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Despite the challenges he faced, Jay always lived each day to the fullest and fought tirelessly for the best quality of life possible for himself and his family.

Born on November 24, 1971, in Richmond, Virginia, Jay was affectionately known as “JJ” during his childhood. The youngest of four children, JJ grew up in the west end of Richmond in a home filled with love for family, sports, and church.

As a child, JJ enjoyed playing all sports, but he particularly loved baseball and spent time volunteering with his father to maintain the baseball fields at Tuckahoe Little League in Henrico, VA. Sadly, JJ was diagnosed with cancer when he was 15 years old. Though he fiercely battled and overcame the cancer, two years later, he lost his beloved father. Despite these two tragedies, JJ continued to run cross-country and played baseball during his high school years and graduated from John Randolph Tucker High School in 1989.

After graduating, JJ attended Bluefield University in Bluefield, West Virginia, to play baseball as a pitcher. Unfortunately, a career-ending injury forced him to return to Richmond to continue his education.

During his college years, Jay worked as an electrical engineer assistant for Reynolds Metals International. On his off-time, he honed his golf skills, excelling at the sport. Surprisingly, he was inspired by a PGA golf professional to change his career path and studied to become a PGA golf professional at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. Later, he held the position of golf professional at Kiln Creek Golf Club and Resort for over five years. Jay enjoyed teaching and playing golf with players of all levels and often said that you can tell a person’s character by how they play golf.

In 2002, Jay embarked on a new career in sales, working as the primary salesperson for the startup company ContactDirect .com in Hampton, Virginia. Later, he obtained his real estate license and began a successful eight-year career as a Realtor for Liz Moore and Associates in Newport News, Virginia. Jay enjoyed helping clients buy and sell homes and found success through his commitment to professionalism, customer service, and strategic negotiation.

In 1992, Jay met his love, Jennifer Paige Fletcher, in Richmond, Virginia. They wed 31 years ago in 1994 and resided in Newport News for 8 years, then moved to Yorktown, Virginia, to reside for over two decades. Together, they had a beloved son, Nicholas Conner Bland, who is now 24 and a source of immense pride and joy.

In 2011, Jay was forced to retire at the age of 40 due to several health issues. Despite these challenges, he continued to enjoy life by volunteering at church, playing golf, coaching baseball, watching sports, and traveling as much as his health permitted.

In 2022, Jay moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his wife, Paige, to further her career. However, shortly after, he was once again diagnosed with cancer and successfully treated at the Duke University Cancer Institute and Brock Cancer Center. Unfortunately, Jay’s lung and heart conditions worsened, and despite his courageous fight, the medical innovations and skilled physicians available, God called him home for eternal rest and complete healing.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas Bland and Evelyn Ann Bland, and his sister, Penny Catherine Bland. He is survived by his wife, Paige; their son, Nicholas; and his two brothers, Greg Bland and his wife, Thea, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Doug Bland and his wife, Robin, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Jay is also blessed with two nieces and four nephews: Trevor Bland (Emily), Casen Bland (Kristin), Dalyn Bland, Taylor Bland, Ryan Bland, and Camden Bland. Additionally, he is survived by two great nieces and one great nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The Sentara Heart Hospital Structural Heart Program, Duke Cancer Institute for Thoracic and Lung Cancers, and Sentara Brock Cancer Center. These organizations, who provided Jay with unwavering compassion and care over the past 15 years, would be deeply grateful for any donations made in his memory.

On September 27, 2025, a Celebration of Life will be held at Kiln Creek Golf Club and Resort in Newport News, Virginia, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The family hopes this gathering will provide an opportunity for friends and family to come together, share cherished memories, and express their profound love and gratitude for Jay’s life.