Judge David Joe Breland
Decatur Judge David Breland passed away lovingly surrounded by his entire family on April 30, 2025. Judge Breland was born on March 16, 1953, in Decatur, Alabama to the late Judge Edwin DeWitt Breland, Sr. and Hazel Dykes Breland. Judge Breland was a 1971 graduate of Decatur High School. He also earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Alabama. While at the University of Alabama he was a proud member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. Upon graduation from law school, he joined his father’s law practice in Decatur. A mere four years later he was appointed Morgan County District Judge. He was re-elected to that position four times. He ran unopposed in all four of his elections.
Judge Breland was an uncommon judge. He did not see his position as merely applying facts and law. Instead, he saw his judgeship as a role in which he could make everyone feel heard, demonstrate unwavering respect, and, most of all, as a vehicle for creating a more compassionate society for all people. For this, he received love and admiration from attorneys, court staff, plaintiffs, defendants, and citizens alike.
His proudest accomplishment as a judge was the development of a system of services for children and youth focused on increasing social support services as an alternative to the incarceration of juveniles. The system would soon become a model for the state of Alabama and an inspiration for the passage of the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act of 2008, a groundbreaking and nationally lauded law that aimed to produce community-based alternatives to the incarceration of youth. He later served as an advisor on juvenile justice issues to former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and as statewide coordinator of the Juvenile Community Resources Initiative from 2008-2012.
Judge Breland retired from his judgeship in 2008, but gained a new career in 2013, for which he would gain equal renown. As director of historic resources for the city of Decatur, he served as a public historian of Decatur’s past and an unwavering cheerleader for Decatur’s future. Between 2013 and his second retirement in 2025 he oversaw operations and renovations at the Old State Bank, the restoration of the historic Decatur Union Depot, the establishment of the Railroad Museum, and countless other endeavors.
His awards were numerous, and his community involvement was boundless. Among his many honors were the Barrett C. Shelton Sr. Freedom Award, Paul Harris Fellow Award of Rotary International, Silver Beaver Award of the Boy Scouts of America, Whitney Young Award of the Boy Scouts of America, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce A.C. Banks Citizen of the Year Award, the Judge Newton B. Powell Service Award, and he was an inductee of the Morgan County Schools Foundation Leadership Hall of Fame. He was an active Rotarian for over 40 years and served as the president of the Decatur Rotary Club. In 2018, Governor Kay Ivey appointed him as a member of the Alabama Historical Commission. He also served as vice chairman of that commission. His final role was as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Decatur-Morgan Hospital. He found great joy in helping to lead the hospital and interacting with the many doctors, nurses, and support staff.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, his greatest devotion was reserved for his Christian faith and his role as husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Decatur and is survived by his wife of 45 years, Drama Dorning Breland; his son, Will (Brooke) of Hoover; his daughter, Mary Katherine (Michael) of Los Angeles, CA; a nephew (who Judge Breland considered a son), Jordan Phillips (Grace) of Oneonta; a niece (who Judge Breland considered a daughter), Julia Tichenor (Adam) of Oak Park, IL. He is also survived by his brother, Edwin DeWitt Breland, Jr. (Virginia) of Athens. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Grady Phillips, Mira Breland, Spencer Breland, James Tichenor, and Mary Stephen (Stevie) Phillips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Edwin DeWitt Breland, Sr. and Hazel Dykes Breland of Decatur, and his sister, Carolyn Lee Breland of Decatur.
In his final act on earth, Judge Breland, a gifted pianist, organist, and amateur com-poser, composed the processional music for his daughter’s wedding, was able to walk her down the aisle, and give her away to be married. This final memory will forever be cherished.
He will always be remembered as a devout Christian, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a dedicated community servant, and an admired judge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Decatur-Morgan Hospital Foundation or First Baptist Church of Decatur’s Acts1:8 Missions.
Lastly, the family would like to thank the incredible staff at Decatur-Morgan Hospital and the UAB Neurological Intensive Care Unit for their compassionate and devoted care in Judge Breland’s final days.
