Craig R. Breland was born on November 3, 1959 in Los Angeles, California to the late Clyde and Marthelma Breland.  He was a graduate of Channel Islands High School in Oxnard, California, Ventura College, in Ventura, California and St. Mary's College in Moraga, California where he played college football.

The family of Craig R. Breland is saddened to announce his passing on April14, 2021 peacefully at his home in Wiggins, MS.  In recent years he joined H.A. Brown United Methodist Church.  He was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend.  Craig was a caring, charismatic individual who never met a stranger.

He began playing sports at a young age inspired and coached by his father.  He later exhibited talent for and excelled in football. He played throughout high school, in junior college and later had a great college football career as a running back for the St. Mary's Collee Gaels football team.  His talent caught the eyes of NFL scouts and he was invited to try out for one of his favorite teams the Los Angeles Raiders.

After his football career ended he began working for the state of California as a Correctional Officer.  He later furthered his career in corrections career and moved to the California Men's Colony fire camp in San Louis Obispo, California.  At the fire camp he served as a correctional officer and assisted inmates in fighting wild fires. In 2000 Craig relocated to Mississippi.  Shortly after moving to the state he began working as a commercial fisherman for Daybrook Fisheries.  He retired from Daybrook in 2011 due to health issues.  Craig was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Marthelma Breland, grandparents, aunts, uncles and some cousins.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving companion of over 30 years Leslie Breland; three children: Kenneth Breland and Tambra Martin of Wiggins, MS; Tyrese Breland of Monrovia, CA; a brother Algenon Breland (Anita) of Wiggins, MS; a sister Kimberly Fisher (Christopher) of Gulfport, MS; seven grandchildren: Richard, Rishad, Ryan, Raymond, Casey, Giselle, and Kaylee; several nephews including Rámon and Carter and several nieces and other loving family members.