Gerald Jefferson Breeden

Gerald Breeden, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, age 95, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, peacefully entered his eternal home on December 4, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Gerald was born on September 10, 1930, to Harvey and Wilma Breeden in Manassas, Virginia.  He had four siblings--Ruth, Dorothy, Harvey Jr., and Estelle--all of whom predeceased him.

He was a graduate of Chester High School and Brandywine College, Chester, Pennsylvania; however, Gerald’s service in the United States Armed Forces shaped the man we knew.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947 and attended naval schools in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and California. Sea duty placed him aboard the aircraft carriers USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, USS Midway, USS Coral Sea and USS Kearsarge. He later served aboard USS Antietam in support of operations during the Korean War.

In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed technical training at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and electronics and radar technical school at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. His Air Force service included assignments in Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, California, Arizona, and England.

After 22 years of honorable service to his Country, he moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, and took employment with the United States Postal Service and later Villanova University, which he noted as the most enjoyable job he held owing to the upstanding faculty and staff.  

Gerald was an enthusiastic world traveler, an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, and a member of the American Legion. He particularly enjoyed attending the annual reunion of the USS Antietam.  

Gerald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth; their three children, Carlton, Corinne, Sarah; and one grandchild, Jordan. Kennett Square has been their home for the past 20 years.

A private visitation for family will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Longwood Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will take place at Manassas City Cemetery in Manassas, Virginia.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald Jefferson Breeden, please visit our floral store.