Carol “Coco” Tatay Bland

Carol “Coco” Tatay Bland of Tomball, TX passed away in Houston Hospice on Thursday October 10, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was 53 years old.

Carol grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas. After graduating R.L. Paschal High School she attended Southern Methodist University becoming a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and graduated with a B.S. in Geology. After graduation she enrolled at Baylor University, where she earned a Master of Science in Geology.

Carol dedicated her career to environmental regulatory permitting, compliance and remediation. She began her career in California, living in Santa Cruz with her beloved dog Ginger, who would ride in her bicycle basket everywhere Carol went. Carol met her husband Bill in Houston while they were both working at Weatherford International. She also worked at ConocoPhillips for several years; and, for the past 17 years Carol worked at Chevron in Houston, Texas as a Senior Regulatory Advisor. Carol and Bill celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in May 2024.

Carol was a dedicated member of Scouts BSA in the Orion District of the Sam Houston Area Council for over a decade. Her leadership roles included serving as Committee Chair and Den Leader for Pack 469, as well as District Committee Member and Orion District. Carol loved to camp and continued camping in scouts, after cancer struck. She was a tremendous outdoor and high altitude cook. She contributed as a Merit Badge Counselor and played a vital role in Day Camp and Merit Badge University. In Troop 469, she held positions as Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, Outdoors Chair, and High Adventure Coordinator.

Carol was an active member of the Colonneh Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of Scouts BSA, where she served as an Adult Advisor for Elangomats welcoming and guiding new members, and earned Vigil Honor. Significant highlights of her final year include her eldest son Will achieved Eagle Scout and her son Charlie earned Life Scout rank.

Beyond her commitments to Scouting, Carol was a dedicated volunteer at her sons' schools from elementary through high school. At Tomball Memorial High School, Coco found joy as a volunteer for the Roarin’ Blue Band, serving as Concessions Coordinator at TISD Stadium and attending nearly every TMHS Wildcats football game and TMHS Marching Band competition, to cheer on the Roarin’ Blue Band.

Carol was a kind, compassionate woman who selflessly gave to others expecting nothing in return. She loved her family more than anything and dedicated herself to providing her boys with the best experiences possible, accompanied by the music of Carly Simon and James Taylor. She loved the mountains and skiing with friends and family. She loved National Parks, visiting more than eight in the USA; she loved Canada- driving through provinces of Alberta and British Columbia stopping and camping in Jasper Glacier and Columbia Ice Fields drinking and washing in melting waters millions of years old. Her dedication to her family and their interests was immeasurable.

Carol is survived by her husband, William W. Bland, II (Bill), sons William W. Bland, III (Will) and Charles Daniel Bland (Charlie), mother close friend and confidant Carol P. Tatay of Ft. Worth, sister Mary T. Holman and nephew Trey Holman, mother-in-law Judith Bland, sisters-in-law Janet Bland (Julie) and Susan Bland Norton (Don).

We gratefully acknowledge all the love and support coming from family in Mishawaka, Indiana especially Aunt Kathy.

Carol always said her sons were the light of her life and her husband the love of her life. Carol is missed greatly and will live forever in our hearts. The Bland Family urges colleagues, friends and relatives, no matter how distant, to shower the people they love, with love - show them the way that you feel. 

The Bland family sincerely appreciates and thanks everyone at Houston Hospice, most especially the physicians and nurses for their compassionate assistance through this trying time.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions, and donations in remembrance of Carol T. Bland to Houston Hospice (a non-profit organization) 1905 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX  77030.

“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39)

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 3:00 PM 
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
2450 River Oaks Boulevard
Houston, TX 77019
A reception will follow the service in Sumners Hall

Entombment will be held on Saturday November 16, at 12:00 PM
Inside of the Oaks Mausoleum
Memorial Oaks Cemetery
13001 Katy Freeway 
Houston, TX 77079

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Asbury Hall
Lakewood Methodist Church
11330 Louetta Road
Houston, TX 77070
*Enter through gate on Jones Road; park on east side- between Church & Jones Road

The Bland family thanks Beresford Funerals for their excellent and compassionate assistance through this trying time. www.BERESFORDFUNERALS.COM