A. Wayne Breeland's Obituary
(Arthur) Wayne Breeland -- devoted and faithful husband, loving father and uncle, caring son and brother, brilliant attorney, true friend and Parkinson's warrior -- died on August 9, 2024, one month before his 94th birthday. Throughout his life, Wayne walked the Christian walk and as such was a light to others. A quiet man, he had a wry wit that often caught people off guard. His natural leadership showed itself through his service in the US Army JAG Corps, followed by service in the US Army Reserve, from which he retired with the rank of Colonel. He had many service stories he loved to tell, but perhaps his favorite was his Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC.
His discipline and determination led to success in all he pursued. After his graduation from U. of Tulsa, where he was elected to Pi Gamma Mu (National Social Science Honor Society), he entered the School of Law at U. of Oklahoma. There, he was initiated into the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, was on the Oklahoma Law Review Board of Editors, and graduated #3 in his law class at U. of Oklahoma. Following active duty in the U.S. Army, and 23 years as an Army Reserve officer, he retired as a full Colonel in 1982. Wayne pursued a long career as an admired oil & gas attorney, was admitted to the Bar of the US Supreme Court, and eventually started his own practice. This year marks his 70th anniversary as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. But if asked, he'd have said his family was most important to him.
In 1956, while stationed as a JAG Corps officer at Fort Hood, TX, Wayne met Irmgard, a widow, and her 6 year-old daughter RuthAnn at the First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells. They married in 1957 and built a close-knit family in Tulsa, OK, along with his salt-of-the-earth mother who'd moved to Oklahoma Territory when she was a girl, and his twin brother who was his opposite in avocation but identical in values. The family grew when Irmgard's sister and brother-in-law moved to Tulsa with their daughter and Wayne's and Irmgard's niece Susan Bower McCoy. The family later grew to include a nephew-in-law Phil (Susan’s husband), two grand-nephews Chase and William aka Billy, plus their wives and seven children.
In 1981 Wayne and Irmgard moved from Tulsa to Dallas TX, where he took the position of VP and General Counsel for Hrubetz Oil Company. After retiring from that company, he continued to practice law, consulting with Hunt Oil Co. and other oil exploration entities. Irmgard passed away in 1998 after 41 years of true marriage partnership that blessed them, their daughter, and all who knew them. Wayne remarried in 2001, then later separated from his second wife.
In 2017, Wayne moved into a North Dallas senior community, excited to start a new and joyous phase of life, focused on finding gratitude every day, no matter the challenges. As with his previous life, his new one was marked by daily exercise, at the fitness center and with a "Parkinsonians" group of people bonded together as warriors in the shared cause of living and doing their best. He did so well in his group exercise, he was invited to join the Rock Steady Boxing class, in which he excelled.
Wayne loved breakfast at home with his daily devotional reading, and dinner every evening with friends. He had the good fortune to travel in Europe and Hawaii, but always claimed Oklahoma as his favorite place. He was an avid reader, particularly of books based on Oklahoma and WWII history; a consumer of news, largely political; and an enthusiastic supporter of his favorite football teams, the OU Sooners, U. of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved music, from opera and symphonic, to Rodgers & Hammerstein and gospel music, and was an aficionado of British drama and comedy.
Throughout his life, Wayne was an exemplary role model for how to rise to meet challenges by relying on one's faith. Parkinson's was his great challenge in his last year, and he fought that battle with determination and graciousness. In the end, he won by being an inspiration to others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research. A Tribute Page has been established for Wayne at tribute.michaeljfox.org. Click on Search Pages, then type his name into the search bar at the bottom.
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