1924
Russell
2017
Russell Martin Breeden
May 8, 1924 — December 24, 2017
Russell Martin Breeden of Rustburg, Va. departed this life on December 24, 2017. He was born on May 8, 1924 in Lynchburg, Va. to the late Wesley and Nannie Bruffy Breeden. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Ruth Breeden Scott; stepfather, John Scott; his two brothers, Wesley and Odell Breeden; his first wife of 51 years, Betty Turner Breeden; mother- and father-in-law, Anna and Ronald Turner; his daughter, Delores Breeden Wells; and his grandson Kevin Boyd. He is survived by three children, Judy (Jim) Brower and Bonnie (Jerry) Boyd of Evington, and Rusty (Lucy) Breeden of Rustburg; his son-in-law, Charlie Wells of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, 17 great-children, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He also leaves Nellie Bruffy Breeden, his wife of 18 years and her children Sandra Witt, Carlton Bruffy, Melvin Bruffy (Angie), and Faye Brooks (Don); and Nellie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In his younger days he delivered papers and worked at the Pepsi Cola Company and Fort Hill Shoe Factory before joining the United States Navy where he served 25 years. His tours of duty in the Navy included three tours at NOB Norfolk, Va., one tour each at the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va., NAS Jacksonville, Flo., and Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md. and two tours at Camp Lejune, N.C., in addition to tours on the USS Argonne AG31, USS Piedmont AD17, USS Shenandoah AD26, USS Independence, and his final tour aboard the USS America before retiring in April 1966. He also participated in the Korean War, World War II, and the Vietnam Conflict. After his retirement from the Navy he moved his family to Lynchburg and was self-employed in the dental business for many years.
His military career gave him, Betty and their children the opportunity to do a lot of traveling throughout his twenty-five year career with the Navy. They kept in touch with many of their military friends and enjoyed the many get-togethers they shared. He enjoyed reading, watching and attending Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Lynchburg Hillcats games, visiting with friends, watching birds, and enjoying nature in general, as well as travelling with Nellie. Weather permitting he could be found most days sitting on his front porch enjoying the scenery. Russell was the type of person to help anyone in need. It was not unusual for him to laugh and tell on himself when he did something out of the ordinary and he enjoyed reminiscing about his Military days. He was a member of Marsh Memorial United Methodist Church and attended Hyland Heights Baptist Church. He was member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the Lynchburg American Legion Post 16.
The Family would like to thank the Lynchburg Health & Rehabilitation South Wing Staff and Al & Allison from Therapy Department for all of their special care that was given to Russell during his stay. A special thanks to Hollie Bruffy Arthur for checking in on her Papa throughout the day. The family appreciates all of the calls and visits during his illness.
A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Tharp Funeral Home on Breezewood Drive with the Rev. Carl Weiser and Pastor Gene Steele officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 36. The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2017 and other times at the home of Russell and Nellie.
“A Veteran-whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve- is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “ up to and including my life”. “That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it”
Author Unknown
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
In his younger days he delivered papers and worked at the Pepsi Cola Company and Fort Hill Shoe Factory before joining the United States Navy where he served 25 years. His tours of duty in the Navy included three tours at NOB Norfolk, Va., one tour each at the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va., NAS Jacksonville, Flo., and Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md. and two tours at Camp Lejune, N.C., in addition to tours on the USS Argonne AG31, USS Piedmont AD17, USS Shenandoah AD26, USS Independence, and his final tour aboard the USS America before retiring in April 1966. He also participated in the Korean War, World War II, and the Vietnam Conflict. After his retirement from the Navy he moved his family to Lynchburg and was self-employed in the dental business for many years.
His military career gave him, Betty and their children the opportunity to do a lot of traveling throughout his twenty-five year career with the Navy. They kept in touch with many of their military friends and enjoyed the many get-togethers they shared. He enjoyed reading, watching and attending Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Lynchburg Hillcats games, visiting with friends, watching birds, and enjoying nature in general, as well as travelling with Nellie. Weather permitting he could be found most days sitting on his front porch enjoying the scenery. Russell was the type of person to help anyone in need. It was not unusual for him to laugh and tell on himself when he did something out of the ordinary and he enjoyed reminiscing about his Military days. He was a member of Marsh Memorial United Methodist Church and attended Hyland Heights Baptist Church. He was member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the Lynchburg American Legion Post 16.
The Family would like to thank the Lynchburg Health & Rehabilitation South Wing Staff and Al & Allison from Therapy Department for all of their special care that was given to Russell during his stay. A special thanks to Hollie Bruffy Arthur for checking in on her Papa throughout the day. The family appreciates all of the calls and visits during his illness.
A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Tharp Funeral Home on Breezewood Drive with the Rev. Carl Weiser and Pastor Gene Steele officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 36. The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2017 and other times at the home of Russell and Nellie.
“A Veteran-whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve- is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “ up to and including my life”. “That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it”
Author Unknown
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Russell Martin Breeden, please visit our flower store.
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