Dean Breedlove

A memorial service will be held for Dean Rayford, “Ray” Breedlove on Thursday, April 1, 11:00am at Stewart Family Funeral Home. Ray died March 29, 2010 following a lengthy illness. Visitation is schedule for Wednesday, March 31st from 5:00pm-7:00pm, also at Stewart Family Funeral Home. He was born July 13, 1926 in Thalia, Texas, the sixth of seven children to the late Jesse and Leta Stallings Breedlove. He graduated from Tyler High in 1943 and after attending Texas A&M University for one year, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Upon completing his military service, he returned to Texas A&M, married Mary Kathryn Woolsey of Corpus Christi, and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. Ray entered into the family rose and nursery business and spent most of his professional career alongside his late brother Charles as a landscape architect. Among his many civic achievements, his service in the Downtown Rotary Club was his favorite. He had thirty-eight years perfect attendance and served as president in 1985. He was instrumental in bringing the beauty of azaleas to his beloved city and his legacy can be seen throughout the landscapes of East Texas. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-one years, Mary Kathryn Woolsey Breedlove, his brothers Bill, Jesse, and Charles, sisters Gaitha Brack and Rosalie Eikner. He is survived by his wife of eleven years Pat Noga Breedlove, her children George and Sonya Noga family, daughters Patrice and Mark Bowles family, Sherry and Roy Crigger family, his sons and their wives, John and Carolyn Breedlove and Paul and Laurie Breedlove, grandchildren and their spouses Matt and Sarah Breedlove, Cody and Paula Breedlove, Nick and Lucy Breedlove, Barrett and Bromli Breedlove, Anna Kathryn Breedlove Shultz and Jeremy Shultz, and great grandchildren: Felix Ames, Jack River, Luke Barrett, Kathryn Marsh, Noah Nicholas, and Claire Elizabeth Shultz. Pallbearers will be Matt Breedlove, Cody Breedlove, Nick Breedlove, Mike Breedlove, Bob Breedlove, Chuck Breedlove, Jeremy Estridge, and John King. Honorary Pallbearers are Captain Barrett Breedlove (currently deployed to the Horn of Africa), James T. McCain, Starley Hand, Charles Eikner, Alex Orr, Curt Butterfield, Bill Burney, David Eikner, Bob Burdick, Al May, and Vernon Whyte. Many thanks go to the committed staff at Park Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional care and friendship to Ray. Memorials in honor of Ray’s life may be made to The Salvation Army, PO Box 2050, Tyler, and Texas, 75710 and The East Texas Rescue Mission, PO BOX 5329, Tyler, Texas 75712.

Dean Breedlove

July 13, 1926 - March 29, 2010