Martell L. Bland

With humble acceptance of God’s will, we announce the passing of Martell L. Bland, 49, of Ladera Ranch, CA on Friday July 16, 2021 after complications from his battle with cancer.

Martell was born on May 8, 1972, to Linda D. Griggs and Rondle R. Bland in Los Angeles, CA. He attended Morningside High School as a teenager, playing basketball and football for the varsity teams. Upon graduating in 1990, Martell received a full scholarship for basketball to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA where he studied Political Science. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree as a four-year letterman and a division one basketball player. Martell later played professional basketball in Taiwan before coming back to the US. Martell was so deeply rooted in the bonds he built with people and teammates at Morningside High School and St. Mary’s College that he carried those friends with him through life. Many of those classmates became family, and friendships became a lifelong brotherhood that Martell treasured dearly.

After graduation from St. Mary’s College in 1994, Martell spent over 20 years gaining expertise in several industries including healthcare, media and entertainment, financial services, and others. He held roles as Account Manager, Sales Operations Leader, Senior Director of Sales, and Vice President of Sales. Most recently, Martell spent over 10 years at Microsoft as Director of Enterprise Sales before moving on to become the Senior Director of Sales for VMWare commercial segment. He was also extremely involved in the community, serving as a proud board member of multiple non-profit organizations, serving as a guest speaker on leadership at different engagements including the Barack Obama Leadership Academy and State Farm Leadership Conference. He also joyfully participated in the Jack and Jill of America organization with his family.

Martell attended Calvary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA as a child. He and his family later became members of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Thanksgiving 2012, Martell co-founded Freedom in Christ Church in Laguna Hills, CA, which the ministry led until the pandemic started in 2019. Then Martell became a member of Encounter Church in Mission Viejo.

In 1999, while working as an ADP manager, Martell met Katina Jones when he established the payroll system for her group home. Keeping it professional they didn’t go on their first date until mid-August of 2002. Martell said in a dream God told him Katina was his wife, and when Katina asked God as well, God confirmed. It was irrefutably clear God chose Katina for Martell and Martell for Katina. Obediently, they were engaged in early October 2002 and had a private wedding that same month. They wed again in Oahu, HI in December 2002 with both their moms present. In love, they chose to renew their vows for Valentine’s Day in February 2003. And finally, recommitting themselves in front of their families and friends, they exchanged vows on their anniversary in December 2003. God remained the center of their marriage for next 20 years. They shared four children together: Mitchell, Maya, Maxwell, and Makayla.

Martell’s proudest accomplishment was re-dedicating his life to Christ in front of his children. He wanted them to see him recommit and surrender all. He didn’t just talk about his faith, he lived it. For years, one of his most cherished standing commitments was leading bible study for his sons, encouraging them to become men of valor, as Martell clearly was. He poured his whole heart into mentoring his children, coaching his children in all sports – basketball, football, softball, even learning soccer so he can coach his daughter. He taught them to always give 110%, do it to the best of your ability, never quit, see it through to the end. Martell let the kids know he’d be fine with the result as long as they gave it all they got. His family said “he had an easy way of teaching and so much patience to help you understand… He was able to get you to see a perspective that you had no idea was even possible.” He never yelled, never lost his temper, always remained calm because he believed in never letting anybody control your actions and make you somebody you’re not. Katina remembers Martell living by the idea that “you can be upset, but never let anybody take you out of your character…And his calmness affected and calmed me down.” His children recalled he always said “I love you” throughout the day, no matter what you did or didn’t do. Without a doubt, Martell would be proud to know each child believed they were his favorite.

His undeniable gift for mentoring transcended all areas of his life, from family, to colleagues, to friends and acquaintances in passing. His sister, Kasey, remembers him as a nurturer and the patriarch of the entire family. Martell was always guiding people with words of wisdom that could uplift and change their lives. His words were not wasted, but carefully chosen to build, breathe life, and love on people. Even some of the kids’ friends thought they were his favorite. That was the lasting affect he had on people – he left them feeling valued, cherished and loved. But this gentle giant was also an unrelenting negotiator, often leaving salespeople in tears praying that he didn’t come back because they lost money in the transaction. And afterwards, Martell still made them feel respected, and they respected him in return. Not just for the love of the hunt, but Martell fought fiercely for his family. He took great pride in being his family’s protector. He was so grateful for all God blessed him with that he would protect it with everything he had. Even in his last days, Martell was constantly expressing his gratitude to his family and support group and giving thanks to his nurses and doctors. Martell was undoubtedly a man of great influence, not by today’s standards, but by timeless, biblical standards.

Martell, affectionately known by family as “Bay Bay,” was predeceased by Rondle Bland, Linda Griggs. He is survived by his adoring wife Katina; siblings Colby and Kasey; children Mitchell, Maya, Maxwell and Makayla; his 95-year-old great grandmother Lois, his 100-year-old great uncle George, his nephew Daemond, as well as a host of other loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and teammates.

Please join us for a wake on Thursday, July 22 between 4pm to 8pm at Luyben and Dilday Mortuary 5161 E Arbor Rd Long Beach, CA 90808. The memorial service to celebrate the life of Martell L. Bland is 9am Friday July 23 at Saddleback Church, 1 Saddleback Pkwy (Tent 2), Lake Forest, CA 92630. The Burial service is Monday July 26 at 1:30pm at Forest Lawn Cypress (Constant Love), 4471 Lincoln Ave, Cypress CA 90630.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Exon 20 Group by visiting https://askican.org/namedprograms/mbland.html .