Bruce Watson Breedlove

Bruce lived a blessed and fulfilled life and passed away on April 10, 2025 at age 75, surrounded by his wife, son and brother. Born on June 25, 1949 in Columbia, S.C., he was the son of Albert E. and Nellie W. Breedlove, who provided a loving family home with a sound Christian foundation. Bruce graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1967. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree at Limestone College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Bruce's career path steered him to a position in the Procurement Division with the state of South Carolina, developing contracts and bids throughout the state for the Budget and Control Board/General Services. This transition set the stage for Bruce to later accept a position in the University of South Carolina's Procurement Division. Here, Bruce dedicated his seasoned career expanding and upgrading the Information Technology systems for each of the University of South Carolina's locations statewide. He retired with the university as Assistant Director of Purchasing. His faith, belief in his fellow man, his high principles of not being influenced by others, his composure in strenuous situations, all provided the man known as a "Gentleman's Gentleman".

Bruce grew up with a great passion for baseball. He and his brother, Sonny, could always be found either in an open field or on the baseball diamond. They would ride their bikes untiringly around West Columbia locating anyone who wanted to have some fun. Bruce and his brother started in the West Columbia Little League system, but never playing on the same teams. Bruce had the honor of representing the state of South Carolina by playing on the All-Star team which went to the Little League World Series in 1961. They both went on to play Pony League (including All-Star games), junior varsity and varsity at Brookland-Cayce High School (due to other interests, Sonny only played one year of varsity). Bruce's exceptional quality of play as a short stop afforded him this position in American Legion ball with Congaree Post 90, under the leadership of coach Jim Shirley. Bruce's remarkable baseball career opened a door for him to be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, which he so graciously declined. Bruce served from 1968-1974 in the South Carolina Air National Guard at McEntire base in Eastover, S.C. with the Swamp Fox - 169th Fighter Wing. Bruce wanted to go back and the visit the base one more time, and in August of 2024, with the help of our good friend Bill Cloaninger, Bruce was able to make that trip. And of course, it had to be followed with a stop at "Mr. Bunky" for a delicious hamburger.

Bruce married Linda Peterson in 1972 and began their life's long journey of 52 years. Family life for Bruce was centered around his wife, Linda, family and many friends. Special times were family summer vacations, many of which were spent on Seabrook Island. He found immense joy interacting with each of them.

Bruce had a passion for "Classic Cars". He loved his many years spent with their Shades of the Past Car Show family at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. After many visits to high-end car shows such as Myrtle Beach and Pigeon Forge, he finally was able to get Linda's "approval" to purchase a 1967 Chevy Chevelle. Well, that really got Bruce's juices flowing. He wanted to build a classic car from scratch. So, with his longtime friend Mike Ellisor, who was already involved with classic cars, they started the process of building a custom classic 1955 Chevy. What a beauty!!!

The culture of church, and more importantly, his relationship with Jesus Christ, was very important to Bruce. At their former church, Fellowship Baptist, he and Linda taught Sunday school and Bruce was an active deacon. He and Linda were involved in many aspects of their present church, Lexington Baptist Church. They enjoyed the special bond with their Sunday school class.

Bruce was also very active with the Lexington Sertoma Club. He was involved mainly with the Annual Big Thursday Event, yearly golf tournament and delivering Meals on Wheels. After retirement, Bruce and Linda enjoyed weekly "day trips" to small South Carolina towns to have lunch. Both enjoyed working in their yard, with Linda caring for her vegetable garden. When they lived in Golden Hills, their home backed up to the eleventh green. Bruce had the job of collecting the golf balls which landed in almost every section of the landscape. He would always have two 5-gallon containers of golf balls to share with friends.

Bruce loved his Carolina Gamecocks. He and Linda spent many years tailgating and bonding with many of their friends. Both of them cherished the many road trips taken in the late winter and early spring to Florida watching the Atlanta Braves and other professional baseball teams during Spring Training games. These trips would also include many side trips to various locations along the East coast and mid Florida. And not letting the grass grow under their feet, they continued spending weeks each year traveling to "classic car" shows with their dear friends Mike and Hulda Ellisor.

In addition to his wife Linda, Bruce is survived by his son, Paul Breedlove (Tonya); daughter, Melissa Platt (Troy); brother, Sonny Breedlove (Brenda); nephew, Cory Breedlove (Michelle); grandsons, Gavin Breedlove and Tyler Platt (Lakyn); granddaughters, Kayla Breedlove and McKenzie Treadaway (Tyler); four great-grandchildren and William Kanthak, our special "Uncle Bill". Also, many cousins and innumerable friends who will miss his quiet spirit.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Albert E. and Nellie W. Breedlove; mother-in-law, Gerda Peterson; and father-in-law, James Peterson.

The family extends our deep gratitude for the love and care Bruce received from the wonderful staff at Spring Oak Memory Care in Lexington, S.C. Gratitude is also extended to All Seasons Hospice, as well as Doctor McCloy.

A service for Bruce Breedlove will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington, S.C. 29072, the Reverend Dickie Cullum officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Southland Memorial Gardens, 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, S.C. 29170. Barr-Price Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lexington Baptist Church Mission Fund, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington, S.C. 29072, or Alzheimer's Association, 140 Stoneridge Drive #640, Columbia, S.C., 29210.

Pallbearers will be Lexington Sertoma Members.

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