Gary Douglas Breeding

Gary Douglas Breeding, 75, of Hopewell, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

Gary was born on July 15, 1946, in Richlands, Virginia to Vivian and Lacy Breeding. Growing up along the banks of the Clinch River in Cleveland, Virginia with his four siblings, he loved time spent fishing, hunting, and riding his motorcycle in the mountains of Russell County. After graduating from Cleveland High School, Gary moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where he worked for the railways before embarking on his lifelong career with Brown and Williamson in Petersburg and later the American Tobacco Company in Chester.

For the past 52 years, Gary remained a dedicated and loving husband to his wife, Sue, and a devoted, caring father to his children, Rebecca, Nic, and Nate. As a family, they have fond memories of road trips and beach vacations in Duck, Sunday drives through the country, movie nights, and backyard summer cookouts.

In his spare time, Gary loved being outdoors, passing his time hunting, fishing, landscaping, and tending to his vegetable garden. As an avid lover of classic cars, he could often be found at an antique car show or in his garage maintaining his beloved 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. Gary was a longtime member of the Hopewell Optimist Club where he enjoyed working the annual Christmas Tree Lot, fishing tournaments, and other community focused events.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Gary. He had the uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily activities and loved nothing more than spending an evening at home with family, toiling away at a project in his garage, or taking a long walk down to the river. His easy-going demeanor and welcoming personality were contagious to everyone he met throughout his full life.

In addition to his wife, Suzanne, Gary is survived by his twin sons, Nathaniel and Nicholas Breeding; brothers, Lacy Breeding, Jr. and Tommy Joe Breeding and sister, Peggy Breeding. He was preceded in passing by his daughters, Rebecca and Cynthia Anne Breeding; father, Lacy Breeding, Sr.; mother, Vivian Breeding; and brother, Ronald Breeding.

The family will hold a private Celebration of Life service with plans for a graveside service to be held at a later date. For those who wish to honor Gary's life, the family asks that donations made in his honor go towards the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or the Hopewell Optimist Club, P.O. Box 1194, Hopewell, VA 23860.