Memorials, 0515 ALBJ, 76 The Alabama Lawyer 198 (2015)
| Author | Hon. Edwin D. Breland T.J. Carnes Garrett Hooper, J. |
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\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Hon. Edwin D. Breland
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Judge Edwin D. Breland Sr. passed away at his home in Decatur on July 31, 2014 at age 87.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Judge Breland was born March 23, 1927 on a farm in rural Perry County. The youngest of 12 brothers and sisters, he was the only member of that family to receive a college degree. His father was a farmer and logger.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0He graduated from Perry County High School in Marion where he was a member and three-year letterman of the varsity basketball team and a member of the National Honor Society. Judge Breland often commented that his personal drive for education came from the teachers at Perry County High School, many of whom were also professors at Marion Military Institute or Judson College.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Judge Breland graduated from high school early, having enlisted in military service on his 18th birthday, and reported to basic training prior to the school's planned graduation ceremony. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, aboard the USS Argonne in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He also served in the occupation of Tokyo following hostilities.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Judge Breland's experience in the Navy helped to shape his sense of patriotism and love of country. He often joked that one of his brothers-in-law convinced him to join the Navy by saying, "As long as your ship doesn't go down, you will always have plenty of hot food, a dry bed and you rarely have to carry anything on your back!"
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Until his passing, Judge Breland enjoyed reading about the history of the United States, particularly military history, and watching historical documentaries. He remained an active life member of the American Legion until his death. He was buried with full military honors.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0After his honorable discharge, Judge Breland received a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Alabama in 1950. In 1952, he earned a bachelor of laws from the university's school of law. While at the University of Alabama, he was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity Until his death, he was an avid fan of all University of Alabama sports.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Also while at the University of Alabama, he met and later married Hazel Christine Dykes of Tuscaloosa, a fellow student and a member of the Million Dollar Band. They were married for almost 65 years until his death.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0After graduation from law school and admission to the Alabama State Bar, Judge Breland and his wife located to Decatur to begin his legal career. In 1952, he became an attorney adjuster for the State Farm Insurance Company. In 1957, he went into private practice in Decatur.
\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0In 1961, he was appointed federal referee of the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. With this appointment, he was also able to continue his legal work in private practice, first as a partner in the Breland & Doss firm, and then for several years as a sole practitioner. He later created a partnership...
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