2023 DON AND DOÑA

Chris Breedlove, the oldest of three boys, was born in Lockney, Texas. Chris attended Tulia schools and graduated in May of 1976 from Tulia High School. While in high school, he was the president of the student council, played football and baseball, and showed steers and pigs in FFA. Growing up, he enjoyed water skiing in Lake Mackenzie, driving down the “dip” street, and riding his grandfather's appaloosa horses. Chris graduated Cum Laude in December 1980 from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He also received a MBA from Texas A&M University – Kingsville in 1998. After Graduation from Texas A&M, Chris was employed by Anderson Clayton and Company (ACCO) and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. ACCO at the time was the largest cotton trading company in the world.  While working for ACCO in Abilene, Texas in 1984, Chris accepted employment with Tommy Funk at Sebastian Cotton and Grain Corporation and moved his family to Harlingen, Texas. After 18 years of living and working in the Rio Grande Valley, Chris was hired by Olton Coop Gin in 2002. Olton Coop Gin was one of the largest cotton gins in Texas at the time, ginning close to and over 100,000 bales per year. In August of 2008, after Hurricane Dolly destroyed the 2008 cotton crop, Chris moved back to the Valley and accepted a position with Willacy Coop. In 2009, Willacy Coop purchased Sebastian Cotton and Grain Corporation and Chris was back operating the company that brought him to the Valley in 1984.  Chris has served as The President of numerous organizations including the Rio Grande Cotton Ginners Association, South Texas Country Elevators Association, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, National Cotton Ginners Association, Texas Grain and Feed Association, as well as Treasurer of Texas Cotton Ginners’ Workmen’s Trust.  He has been awarded “Texas Cotton Ginners Life” membership award. As well as Texas Cotton Ginners Ginner of the year award and Horace Hayden National Ginner of the year award.  He is an active member of the Harlingen Cotton Committee and served as a member of the Olton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. He was a volunteer for Lamb County 4-H, Harlingen South Junior FFA, Harlingen South FFA, and Texas High School Rodeo.

Laura Breedlove was born in South Dakota, but raised in the Rio Grande Valley. She “got to Texas as fast as she could” at 2 years old. She married Chris in Harlingen on October 12th, 1990 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Laura was a business partner at United Printers in Harlingen, which had a long history of printing the invitations and programs for the Algodon Club. Currently, she manages a short-term rental business at South Padre Island with her mother.  Laura has accompanied Chris throughout the cotton belt for cotton meetings and conferences over the years and has supported him through many gin seasons (good and bad, weather permitting). She has served our community in many ways. She was a Valley Baptist volunteer and served on various Junior League committees. She also served as chairman for Rio Fest Children’s Area. Laura has served the Boys and Girls Club and as an active 4H and FFA leader. She has also served as a Texas High School Rodeo volunteer and a Lubbock Saddle Club Member.

Chris and Laura have five grown children. Their son, Justin Breedlove, served as Scepter Bearer for the Algodon Club in the 1990s. Their son Tyson and his wife, Huijin, have twins, Elijah and Naomi. Son Jay. Daughter Lindsay and her husband Philip have one daughter named Clio. And Son Collin.  They are active members of Valley Praise Church in Harlingen. They love to travel, spend time at the beach with family, fish in the Laguna Madre, attend Texas A&M football games, and go to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Chris enjoys playing poker with friends as well as in tournaments occasionally.

The Breedlove’s have been instrumental in the cotton industry of the Rio Grande Valley. We thank them for their selfless service and passion for agriculture. They would like to sincerely thank everyone for this honor and will continue to support and promote cotton for many years to come.