Alton Elwood Breedlove, who pioneered the family aid programs at Buckner International, died Aug. 12 in Fort Worth. He was 90. He was born Aug. 19, 1933, to Loyd Otis and Maudie Ethel (Boyd) Breedlove. He grew up in Troup as part of the Walnut Grove community, near Whitehouse. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1955 as a member of Corps of Cadets. He married Peggy Ann Hall on July 26, 1957. They were married for almost 64 years and had three children. He served in a variety of roles during his career at what was then Buckner Baptist Benevolences, including working at Buckner Boys’ Ranch in Burnet and Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas. He was instrumental in developing and directing a Buckner family assistance program initially called the Mother’s Aid program. It later came to be known as Family Aid and then as the Client Assist program. His Christmas program each year provided thousands of toys, abundant food, clothing and much more to the families in his care. He once visited a former Buckner client in the hospital, showing up in clown suspenders to cheer her up. The ministry he pioneered laid the groundwork for Buckner’s current domestic humanitarian aid program. He and his wife Peggy volunteered in various church nurseries for 47 years. The Breedloves were longtime members of Eastridge Baptist Church in Red Oak. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, and his sister, Juanita Ruth. He is survived by son Al Jr. and his wife, Patsy; son Marshall and his wife, Susann; daughter Ann and her husband, Lee; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
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