Thomas Lee Bland, age 65, of Maumelle, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013 from heart failure. Tom had been a resident of Elmcroft of Maumelle for the past eight years. He was born February 5, 1948, in Malvern, the son of Maxine Marie Neeper and Thomas Bland. Tom attended Fields Elementary School and a couple of years of Junior High until his condition forceded him to leave school. His Aunt Pauline Neeper Treadwell, who was a high school teacher and counselor, served as his teacher and later his caregiver until she passed away. Pauline made it possible for him to continue his education at home. For five years she came daily to his home and taught him. His favorite subject was History and he had the ability to remember dates and historical events almost perfectly.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Maxine Marie Neeper Bland and Thommas F. Bland; grandparents, Thomas Alva Bland, Lena Wiley Bland and Thomas F. Bland, Oscar Neeper, Sr. and Lettie Stiles Neeper

Left to cherish his memory, aunt, Mary Evelyn Neeper Lawrence (Homer) of Malvern, uncle, Oscar "Bud" Neeper, Jr.,great-uncle Reese Stiles of Malvern; cousins, Steve and Tricia Norwood, Buck and Dee Dee Neeper of Gifford, Robert and Mary Jane Neeper Jones of Camden, Stephen, Zeke Neeper and Matt Neeper of Gifford, David Jones of Hot Springs and Bryan and Kameron Jones of Camden.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 14 at 1:00PM-2:00 PM at Regency Funeral Home in Malvern.
Funeral service will be Thursday March 14 at 2:00 PM at Regency Funeral Chapel with Brother Ron Parish officiating. Interment will be at Lono Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his cousins.

The family would like to give special thanks to Elmcroft nurses and staff and Dr, Joe Bradley.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home.