2026-2027 Members who have passed

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Edsel Breland

Edsel Breland.png
Edsel Breland.png Download

Obituary: https://www.moorefuneralservices.com/obituaries/Edsel-Elwin-Breland?obId=49185826#/obituaryInfo


From Don Gore, FAIBD:

First and foremost, Edsel Breland, FAIBD, was a building designer mentor. More than a few very successful AIBD professional building designers received inspiration from him.


Debra Purvis, a prominent published building designer in her own right, told me, “he was such a wonderful man and so talented! Always willing to help and answer any questions... He helped me secure our first BIG publisher in the late 80s, Homestyles out of MN, before it became Homestore, Hanleywood, and then Zonda.


Uriel Pineda, another building designer icon, added: “he was a visionary in the stock plan industry and was a charter member of the Mississippi Society of the American Institute of Building Design.”


Edsel was instrumental in the development of organized professional building design in the state of Mississippi. He helped organize and charter the Mississippi Society of the American Institute of Building Design and served as its first president for two years. His service to AIBD later extended to the national level, where he served as Eastern Director, Treasurer, and Vice President on the National Executive Committee.


Professionally, Edsel was an innovator in residential design and the stock-plan industry. Beginning in the 1970s, Breland & Farmer Designers developed and marketed residential plans to a broad national audience and worked with government agencies and private industry on prototype homes emphasizing energy efficiency. His influence on residential design extended well beyond the plans he personally created; he helped advance the profession itself and mentored a generation of residential designers.


Uriel Pineda, FAIBD:

I was deeply saddened to learn of Edsel’s passing. I had the privilege of working under his mentorship from 1985 to 1989, and I can honestly say that without his guidance, I would not be where I am professionally today. He taught me not only the craft of residential design but also the standards of excellence that have guided my career ever since. I was fortunate to have lunch with him just three weeks ago, and I will always be grateful for his influence and friendship. My heartfelt condolences to his family.