Jay Hill Breedlove
August 3, 1944 ~ August 12, 2021
Born in:
Swain Co., NC
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Jay Hill Breedlove, 77, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Mission Hospital.
Born in 1944, to Robert Breedlove (1907 – 1957) and Florence Grant Breedlove (1913 – 1993), Jay was a native of Swain County where he graduated from Swain High School in 1962. He continued post graduate studies at Western Carolina University. In 1968, he secured a position with the Asheville Police Department and spent the entirety of his 29 year career there, retiring as a Major in 1997.
Surviving Jay are his wife of 57 years, Linda Letterman Breedlove, his son William Breedlove, two daughters, Sharon Breedlove and Tonia Breedlove, and three sisters, Fay Kopis (Jay’s fraternal twin), Ann Harwood, and Cathy Cloer. He also has ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren; as well as, his beloved dog Micky.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Robert Breedlove and Florence Grant Breedlove, two brothers: Curtis Breedlove and Neville Breedlove, a grandson: Michael Breedlove, and a great-grandson: Caleb Smith.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Services
Funeral Service: August 17, 2021 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Visitation: August 17, 2021 1:00 pm - April 23, 2024 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Burial:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
1498 Sand Hill Road
Candler, NC 28715
828-667-8715
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
To the Breedlove Family,
I want to offer my deepest condolences to Sharon and her family for your loss.
May you carry your father’s spirit with in your hearts.
Jeffs “Huntin” Nunez
Prayers for the entire family. You are all in my prayers.
A great man had my greatest respect.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Major BREEDLOVE thoughts and prayers for the family
To Lou and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Jay was a wonderful man and a dedicated Officer.
The Fender Family
It was an honor to have worked under the supervision and direction of MAJ Breedlove. He was a true law enforcement professional. R.I.P MAJ Breedlove.
Love, Kim and Daniel
Love, Kim and Daniel
The refreshing thing for me about Uncle Hill was that what you saw was what you got. What I mean by this was that he never sugar coated anything. He always stated his mind as he saw it. Growing up, every so often, I would stay a week with Granny Breedlove during school summer breaks when she lived with my Aunt Ann and Ann’s two children in the 1970s and 1980s. Periodically, Uncle Hill would come by Ann’s house or we would go visit him and Aunt Lou. I would marvel at how he and Granny Breedlove would interact with each other. Their dynamic towards one another was funny to me.
In his last year with us, Uncle Hill allowed me to “interview” him, about his early years with Grandpa Breedlove—who passed away in 1957 of stomach cancer when Uncle Hill was only 12 years old—as well as Granny Breedlove who remained Grandpa Breedlove’s widow for 36 years until her passing in 1993. Uncle Hill told me heartwarming stories about his life on the farm with his siblings and neighbors, his early life in school interacting with classmates and school teachers, and his life overall in terms of working while supporting a family while attending college in the 1960s. Given Uncle Hill’s history, it’s safe to say Uncle Hill was a self-made man.
I am so very grateful that Uncle Hill and I share the same blood line. I told Uncle Hill during our chats that if I ever have sons, I hope my boys turn out to be as good looking as he and Uncle Hill’s brother, Uncle Nevil Breedlove, were when they were young. I am going to miss my Uncle, Jay Hill Breedlove.
May you rest in peace Uncle Hill.
With love,
Richard Cloer, Uncle Hill’s Nephew
I’m so glad we had the opportunity to FaceTime within the past few months. He really enjoyed sharing stories.
Sad to hear about Major Breedloves passing. We use to ride together to Western Carolina for classes. He is a great man and mentor.
My condolences to Jay’s family. It has been so long since I last saw Jay. We lost track of each other. We both went through Almond Elementary and Swain High together. I was raised up in Lauada, a bit closer to the schools than Jay’s Needmore. I also remember Jay’s twin sister Fay. Jay was a serious student and his history following high school reflects that. I am glad to have Jay’s autograph in my high school annual. God bless Jay’s family. Psalm 91.
Bill Stillwell
Oviedo, Florida
We are truly sorry and sadden by the loss of Jay. I want to share something Granny Breedlove once told me when I was around 14 years old. Some may find it odd or even offensive. I know I did at the time. She said, “a family should never mourn the loss of a loved one. To do so is selfish. Instead, we should celebrate the life and love we shared. We should be grateful that they are in a better place and know they are no longer suffering.” I don’t know if it was her personal belief or something she read in the Bible. I do remember struggling to understand how it is selfish to mourn the loss of someone you love. I finally realized the wisdom in what she said when my father became sick and eventually passed. I was filled with grief and resentment for him leave us so soon and that God allowed him to suffer the way he did. I realized my grief and resentment were about me and how I felt. I was selfish. My grief and resentment cast a dark shadow over celebrating the father he was, the love we had, and knowing he is no longer suffering in that better place. I felt compelled to share this in the hope you all can push the dark clouds away and celebrate the times you had, the love you shared, and know he is no longer suffering. He will forever live within each of you, and that should be celebrated.
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I know how much he meant to the both of you! I’m praying for you all!
To Lou and family We are so sorry to hear about Jays passing .I am sure he will be looking down with smiles letting u all know he is ok and he getting to see his grandchildren, mother and brothers again