Re: Randy Breeding/HMM-364 & HMM-262

Randall Wayne Breeding
Born: July 17, 1950

Died: April 23, 2011

Services: 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Bridges Funeral Home.

Visitation: 6:00 -8:00 PM Tuesday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home and 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday at Bridges Funeral Home.

Breeding, Randall (Randy) Wayne - age 60 of Madisonville, TN, passed away Saturday, April 23rd at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Randy was born July 17, 1950 in Knoxville, TN and grew up in Corryton, TN. With his mother’s permission, Randy enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 while still attending Gibbs High School. After his graduation in 1968, he completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton, CA; then transferred to Millington, TN for helicopter training. As a helicopter crew chief, Randy was deployed to Vietnam in 1970 with the elite and highly decorated HMM-364, “The Purple Foxes”.
“The Purple Foxes” is a Marine Helicopter Squadron that conducts air operations in support of Marine troops and is currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During its tour of duty in Vietnam, “The Purple Foxes” was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for meritorious conduct in the performance of duty. Those who knew and loved Randy can take great pride that his name, Sgt. Randall W. Breeding, is on the national roster of this elite group. As a loyal Marine, through the years Randy participated in “The Purple Foxes” reunions, keeping in touch with those he served with in Vietnam.
After completing his tour of duty in 1972, Randy began his 38 year career in 1973 as a driver with United Parcel Service (UPS) in Knoxville. In 1983, he was promoted to management where he continued to serve in numerous positions and locations throughout East Tennessee until his retirement.
Randy and his wife Connie also own Mini Treasures where they raise and sell miniature horses and donkeys. Randy was a member of VFW Post 5146, American Legion #256 of Tellico Lake, Elks Lodge #1906 and Corryton Masonic Lodge #321.
Randy is preceded in death by his father, Rufus Breeding, Jr., founder of Breeding’s Restaurant of Blaine; sister, Deborah Lynn Breeding; and his uncle, Claude Breeding, who with Rufus, owned and operated Breeding Brothers Angus Farm.
Randy is survived by his wife, Connie Underdown Breeding of Madisonville; daughters, Tara Steffen and husband Tommy of Charlotte, NC, Angie Paul and husband Jack of Knoxville; mother, Wanda Hitt Breeding of Blaine; sisters, Patricia (Tish) Breeding and Vicki Breeding of Blaine, Kristi Niemann and husband John of Knoxville, and Brenda Dyer and husband Mack of Blaine; grandchildren, Briley Paul and Clark Steffen; several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. The Breeding family would like to express their gratitude to Covenant Homecare Hospice, Dr. M. Taite Seals and staff, and special friends, Phil and Debra Peters.
A special visitation service for friends in the Madisonville area will be held on Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, 4650 Hwy 411 By-Pass. The Breeding family will again receive friends in Knoxville on Wednesday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike. Funeral services will follow this visitation with Rev. Mike Lee officiating. Interment will be at Lynnhurst Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Thursday with military honors provided by the Delta Company 4th Combat Engineer Marine Corps of Knoxville. Honorary Pallbearers include HMM-364 “The Purple Foxes”, HMM-262 “The Flying Tigers”, UPS colleagues and friends, Gerald Corum, Greg Corum, and Eddie Evans. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 871 Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999.

Cemetery: Lynnhurst Cemetery (Map)

Location: Bridges Funeral Home (Map)

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Re: Randy Breeding/HMM-364 & HMM-262

I'm so glad that I was able to make the Reunion last summer,since Randy and Connie was able to get there Also. I did get a Picture of them with John R ! Then Dave and Sue was able to stop by and see them for a Night, I then got a call into Connie and left a message for Randy. Have been intouch with Connie just for a short while,telling Her we ALL are here for them . FOR we are Her Family. God has a way of working these times out For each and everyone of US. God Speed/Semper Fi

Re: Randy Breeding/HMM-364 & HMM-262

TAPS, Rest in Peace "Brother"!