Rev. Dr. James (Jim) Pleasant Breeden, 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Easthampton, MA on September 20, 2020, surrounded by family. A lifelong educator and civil rights activist, Jim was noted for his expansive intellect, memorable eloquence, calm presence and steadfast commitment to social justice.
James was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 14, 1934, the son of Pleasant George Breeden and Florence Beatrice Thomas. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1956 cum laude and earned a Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary. He married Jeanne Marie Savoye on September 20, 1958. Together, they embarked on a life as community activists, raising four children in a lively household that embraced an international network of community organizers and intellectuals.
An ordained Episcopal priest, Rev. Breeden took an activist approach to ministry and became a leader in the Boston Civil Rights community. In 1961, Rev. Breeden was one of 15 clergy who were arrested while seeking to integrate a restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi. In positions at St. James Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston, as well as the National Council of Churches in New York City, Rev. Breeden helped to organize school “stay outs,” rent strikes, and other rallies and demonstrations. From 1963-65, Rev. Breeden served as Bishop Anson Stokes’s Vicar on Race and Civil Rights. He also helped to establish the Highland Park Free School, one of several independent schools in Boston designed as an alternative to the segregated schools.
In 1969, Jim joined the faculty at the Harvard School of Education, where he earned a Doctorate of Education in 1972. From 1973-1975, the Breeden family lived in Tanzania in East Africa, where Rev. Dr. Breeden taught education and social policy at the University of Dar es Salaam and worked with his Tanzanian colleagues to establish their first Masters Program in Education. After he returned from Tanzania, Dr. Breeden held several positions to help oversee Judge Garrity’s desegregation order for the Boston Public Schools, including Executive Director for the Citywide Coordinating Council. Appointed Dean of the Tucker Foundation for Religious Life at Dartmouth College in 1984, Jim (now Dean Breeden) took a leadership role in the anti-apartheid movement, urging colleges to divest from South Africa. After concluding his tenure at Dartmouth in 1994, he taught at Howard University and the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT.
In retirement, Jim and Jeanne moved to western Massachusetts, where Jim read philosophy and history, studied chess and music theory, practiced jazz harmonica, and enjoyed Jeanne’s elaborate curry dinners in the company of family and dear friends.
James Breeden leaves his life partner, Jeanne Breeden; children Margaret Breeden (Johnny Stevens), Johanna Breeden, Frederick Breeden (Margaret Anderson), and Paul Breeden; grandchildren Johanna Breeden-Stevens, Noel Anderson, and Silas Anderson; cousins Judith Thomas and Susann Thomas; and many cherished friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his uncle, John Frederick Thomas.
Donations in memory of James Breeden may be made to UNCF (United Negro College Fund), UNCF, 1805 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Memories and condolences can be shared by clicking this link or sent to [email protected]