First Posted: 6/28/2012
Mr. Larry Breeden, affectionately known as “Mr. Jack”, was born on January 26, 1925 in Clio, South Carolina to the late James and Hattie Bruton Breeden. Our playful, humorous, devoted father, husband, mentor and friend departed this life on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Sandhills Regional Medical Center in Hamlet, NC.
A funeral will be held Saturday, June 30, at 1 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Hamlet with the pastor, Rev. Grooms, officiating and Rev. Theodore Breeden, Eulogist. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The public viewing will be held Friday, June 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home in Hamlet.
Family hour will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at New Hope Baptist Church.
Mr. Jack attended Old Hundred Elementary School in Laurel Hill, N. C. and Laurinburg Institute, in Laurinburg, N.C.
He married his lovely childhood sweetheart, Nicey Mae Bennett, and early in their marriage they joined New Hope Baptist Church. He served as Assistant Superintendent and as a Deacon from 1956 – 2002. During his 56 years of membership he promised and practiced Christian like acceptance of ones spiritual and civic responsibility. He has been an inspiration not only to New Hope Baptist Church but also an inspiration to many citizens throughout the Richmond County area.
He was employed by the Seaboard Coastline Railroad and retired after thirty years of service.
Jack had a passion for sports, primarily baseball, and in the early 1960’s he started a team called the Hamlet Giants. Later he saw a need for a youth baseball program in the community and formed a little league team, as well as the Hamlet Royals which became a part of a league comprised of 10 local area teams. Additionally, in 1971 his efforts were essential in establishing a Tri-County Baseball League. He was eventually appointed Tri-County League Commissioner and coached the Royals until 1982. During this time he also helped organize a local women’s softball league.
Jack dutifully served the community in many other ways. He was appointed to the Hamlet Housing Authority Board where he served for five years. He was also appointed to the Hamlet Recreation Board where he served for ten years, helping local black teams receive funds to help support their programs. This was a first for the black teams in the community. He was appointed Park Supervisor of the South Hamlet Park and served from 1973 – 1982. After many years of service to South Hamlet Community, the Larry “Jack” Breeden Park was officially named in his honor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Clifton Breeden, Wellington Breeden, James Breeden, Howard Breeden, and sister, Leila Adams Boyd.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of 63 years, Nicey Breeden; four sons: Samuel (Deva) Breeden of Hamlet, Wilbert Breeden of Hamlet, Louis Breeden of Cincinnati, OH, and Larry Wayne Breeden of San Antonio, TX; four daughters: Clara Bernice Walters of Charlotte, NC, Carolyn (Hilbert) Reddick of Durham, NC, Anita (Lewis) Hall of Waxhaw, NC, and Cecelia (Robert) Dunlap of Winston Salem, NC. To continue his legacy he leaves 19 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Fond memories will also be cherished by two brothers, Robert Breeden of Laurel Hill, NC, and Fred (Mae) Breeden of Laurinburg, NC and a host of dear and devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and loyal friends.
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