Joe Lloyd Breshears

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Joe Lloyd Breshears of Houston, Texas. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Houston on December 31, 1950. Joe was a Retired Executive Assistant Chief of the Houston Police Department and a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend to many. Like in life, he went singing a tune that will leave an impression on all those he met.

Joe L. Breshears passed on Sunday, November 14, 2021 with his love by his side. He is survived by his wife Linda M. Breshears, daughter Renee’ M. Breshears, daughter Olivia J. Breshears-Mabrey and husband Tony Mabrey of Willis, Texas. Sister Terry McMurry, brother-in-law Jim McMurry and niece Megan from Little Rock, Arkansas. Mother-in-law Ramoma Hernandez of Houston. Brother-in-law Adolph and wife Rita Hernandez of Houston, Sister-in-law Sally Hernandez Rodriguez of Victoria. Sister–in-law Dorothy Hernandez Janish and husband Timonthy Janish. Uncle to Sergeant Joel E. Rodriquez of Support Division. And uncle to many nephews and nieces, and cousins. He wasn’t just anyone, he was “Papa B” and you knew you could go to him for advice, for comfort, for laughter, and for a kind soul that would hear you.

Chief Breshears led an extraordinary career beginning when he joined the Houston Police Department on August 20,1973, Academy Class # 61. Durning his career with the department he was assigned to the Northeast Division, Jail Division, Crime Analysis Division, Juvenile Division, Central Division, Employment Services Division, Southwest Division, Traffic & Accident Division, Inspection Division, and the Internal Affairs Division. On July 2, 1991 he was appointed to Assistance Chief assigned to the Criminal Investigation Command. On November 28, 1998 he was appointed to Executive Assistant Chief until his retirement on May 11, 2004.

His greatest joys were with his family. He married the love of his life, an elementary teacher, 44 years ago, with whom they had two girls Renee Michelle and Olivia Jean. They had the marriage you wish for, full of adventure, life, late nights, and laughter that fills your soul. They were a team in parenting. From their secret conversations in Spanish to sharing in all the moments their daughters had.

He loved being a father and made sure not to miss any recitals, practices, games, and taught them how to take care of themselves, how to be safe, and not to be fearful. He was open and talked with them about the scary stuff and shielded them with his love. He was the dad that gave them chocolate cake for breakfast and let them get out all the bad words in the hard moments. He would go through all the rainy nights camping with the Girl Scouts just to spend time with his daughters.

He loved his time on the golf course from Friday to Sunday. He loved the time with his friends, being out on the green, and hitting fish on the head with his golf ball with the fish dying. The best memories were filled with him coming home with four different tan lines from his golfing socks which would make us all laugh.

What he loved the most was spending time with his family. No matter how many times a new dog was brought home, he always opened his heart to everyone and every pup calling it Sugar dog. The Breshears home was a place where all were welcome and fun was had. What he loved was being surrounded by love in all the moments of his life.