Mr. Breedlove, the son of John Gibson Breedlove and his wife, Jeanie Martin Breedlove, was born in Opp on February 10, 1919. He attended the Opp public schools and Auburn University, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He then worked with the United States Corps of Engineers in Mobile until he enlisted in the United States Air Corps. During World War II he became a Captain, serving in the Army Transport Command in British Guiana.
When Joseph Breedlove returned to Opp in 1945, he became a partner in the Opp Building and Supply Company with his father and T. P. Winston. In 1949, he became the owner of this business. In 1969 his interests expanded into the Opp Investment Company, a real estate holding company. He was also a founder of Wiregrass Distributors, Inc., a group of building suppliers extending from Atmore to Chipley, Florida. He served as a Vice President and Director of the Covington County Homebuilders Association.
Mr. Breedlove was a member of the Opp Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of Directors, and as Vice President and President.
He actively participated in the Opp Rotary Club, serving as both Vice President and President in 1957-58 and as President in 1958-59. He was Chairman of the Membership Committee, the Employer-Employee Committee and the Classification Committee.
Mr. Breedlove served on the Opp City Board of Education for a total of 18 years, serving as Chairman much of that time. He was a member of the Board of Directors, Mizell Memorial Hospital, for 23 years, and he also served as Chairman of the Board. He was a member and past President of the Board of Directors of WAMI radio station. He was elected as a Director, First National Bank of Opp in 1971, and served the bank as a consultant in the construction field until his death in 1978. Joseph Breedlove served his church, the First United Methodist Church of Opp, as a member of the Official Board and as a member and Chairman of the Building Committee and the Finance Committee.
He was married to Eloise Dukes of Opelika, and five children were born to this union–Millicent B. Albright; Robert D. Breedlove; David W. Breedlove, all of Opp; Martha Jo Breedlove, Opelika; and Mary Ann B. King, Birmingham.
As a native son and architect, Joseph Martin Breedlove devoted his business life to making Opp an example of a progressive community, and his sensitivity to good functional design and his knowledge of construction can be viewed in the many structures he built or remodeled in Opp and Southeast Alabama. He received National recognition from the American Institute of Architects. He had the complete confidence of those who worked for him and with him. His courtesy, his compassion, his integrity, his distinguished ability made him a compound of strength; he was a gallant man who personified life, spirit and substance. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.
