Leonard Claudius "Junior" Breedlove, Jr.

HENDERSON - Leonard Claudius “Junior” Breedlove, Jr., 84, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Kerr Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born April 26, 1941 at home at Camp Butner, he was the son of the late Elnora Blalock Breedlove and Leonard Claudius Breedlove, Sr.

A memorial service will be held Thursday November 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Josh Woodall and Rev. Will Breedlove.

Junior is survived by his wife of 67 years Ruth Owen Breedlove; two sons, Leonard Claudius “Lennie” Breedlove III and wife Karen of Rocky Mount and Timothy Mark “Tim” Breedlove of Charlotte; six grandchildren, Morgan Naleimaile and husband Randy, Andrew Breedlove and wife Abby, Lauren Dye and husband Stephen, Christopher Breedlove and wife Liz, Jessica Futrell and husband Will, and Nick Hobson; and nine great-grandchildren, Christian Naleimaile, Chloe Naleimaile, Elias Breedlove, Owen Breedlove, Emma Ruth Breedlove, Emerson Futrell, Holland Futrell, Davy Breedlove, and baby girl Dye arriving this winter. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary White Breedlove and Ruth Marie Boyd.

Junior grew up in the Watkins community after moving there from Butner. He attended Dabney School for all 12 grades, and in high school, he played second base on the baseball team and guard on the basketball team. He even drove the school bus his senior year.

He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. Junior and Ruth welcomed Lennie as their first child, and Timmy a few years later. On January 1, 1961 he went to work for Lauren’s Glass Company. Junior stayed busy at the glass company, beginning as a floor sweeper and ending as a foreman in the decorating department by the time he retired 37 years later on January 1, 1998. He also spent his time farming the same land he grew up working alongside his father.

Junior and Ruth were active members at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir, served as Sunday School Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Junior loved to cook, whether it was a whole hog for a big group or just “fixin’ breakfast” for Ruth, and he became especially known for his special barbecue sauce he made and bottled. If you saw Junior for the first time in a while, you were almost guaranteed to be sent home with a bottle - or a case - of barbecue sauce to enjoy. He also loved fishing, especially at the coast.

Most of all, Junior loved his family. Whether cracking jokes, getting down on the floor to play with the children, or sneaking a $20 bill into your hand, Junior always had a way to make sure his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew how special they were and how much he loved them, Every holiday meal, beach trip or even a casual visit was ended with a hug and a “love ya son” or “love ya baby.”

We will miss Junior, his fun spirit, his jokes, and the twinkle he always had in his eye, but we rejoice knowing that he is home in the arms of his Savior.

The family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6:30 until 8:00 PM at J. M. White Funeral Home, following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall, and at the home. 

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Breedlove, Christopher Breedlove, J.G Clayton, Gene Raynor, Barry Raynor, Johnny Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Spot Burwell, Michael Owen, Roger Owen, Mike Breedlove, Sr. and Mike Breedlove, Jr.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church, C/O Carol Pernell, 2951 Old Watkins Rd., Henderson, NC 27537.