of Little Rock, AR

February 6, 1929 - June 9, 2008

John Francis Breen, Jr., 79, of Little Rock, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away Monday, June 9, 2008 after a short illness.

John was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 6, 1929 to John Francis Breen, Sr. and Eleanor E. Cousins Breen. He was lovingly referred to by family and friends as "Jack". He attended Sacred Heart School in Memphis and graduated from Millington High School at the age of 16. He attended the University of Tennessee for two years before volunteering to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. After returning from his first tour of duty in Korea he attended a year at Sienna College in Memphis and then volunteered for a second tour of duty. Upon completion of his service, he returned home to Frayser, Tennessee and managed the family farm while attending Memphis State University, graduating with a B. A. and M. A. in Economics. He subsequently graduated from Louisiana State University School of Banking. John began working for the Memphis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis as a cashier, where he quickly became head cashier. In 1962 he was appointed as manager of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Later he was named vice-president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis along with his duties in Little Rock.

He served on the board of various community organizations including OIC and the American Red Cross. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock #69, and was named as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International upon his retirement from the Federal Reserve in 1993. For fifteen years after his retirement, John served as admissions representative to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York for the State of Arkansas.

John loved the excitement of travel as well as to crappie fish and duck hunt. He and his wife, Barbara, visited forty-three different countries and once traveled around the world. A lover of history, he read history books of all types, was a cross word puzzle enthusiast, and an avid fan of Tennessee athletics. His family was his greatest love, he never missed a birthday party or school activity involving his children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Eleanor Dix; and his loving grandson, Stephen James Breen.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, John F. Breen III and his wife Janet; his daughter, Lynne Breen Alpar and her husband Alan and their daughters, Michelle and Madeline; son, James S. Breen and his wife Kathy and their children, Cortni, Kristi, and Amber; and his nephews, Arthur Dix and John Dix; and his dog, Blessing.

The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300 with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m., at Christ The King Catholic Church with The Reverend Phillip Breen and Monsignor Francis I. Malone as celebrants. Interment will be at Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery in North Little Rock at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, charitable donations can be made to the Stephen Breen Memorial Foundation, 1940 Warner Road, Ft. Worth, Texas 76110.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com