James Michael "Mike" Breland

James Michael “Mike” Breland, age 66, of Mt. Airy, went to be with God on Saturday, March 30, 2024. 

He was a good man, a loving husband, a talented man, a hard worker, a loving father and papa, a great cook, a daring kayaker, and loved the water (fishing lakes, ocean waves, and river bends).

He suffered from a massive stroke and fought for 30 days in the hospital before returning home per his request. His loving family cared for him his last six days with the skilled and caring help of Northeast Georgia Hospice. 

Mike was born on June 27, 1957, and grew up in the Mississippi Delta Area. His parents were Wilbur and Hazel Breland. He was the youngest of six children. With few job prospects in Mississippi, Mike set out to work on oil rigs in Texas at the age of 18. He later went into carpentry and construction work which he learned “on the job.”  He moved to the Atlanta area and built movie and commercial sets for the film industry. When computer technology rendered set building obsolete, Mike settled into home remodeling and construction. He eventually moved to Demorest, which he believed to be the best place to raise a young family. Over the years, he built many houses in the North Georgia area and also remodeled many. Further hats that Mike wore were that of a barista, a baker, a bed and breakfast owner/host, and a commercial truck driver. He operated Michael’s Coffee House in Cornelia, for five years and made many life-long friends there. 

Mike is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debby Breland; his three children and their spouses: Hunter and Terri Breland of Hartwell, Meghan and Matt Daniels of Decatur, TN, and Maddie and Seth Ash of Demorest; and also his stepson and spouse, Dylan and Ashley James of Cornelia. He was the Proud Papa to eight grandchildren ages 7 through 19: Wren James, Quinn Daniels, Lawson James, Verbena Daniels, Cayden Ash, Audrey Martin, Bryson Tamburino, and Marley Martin. Their favorite saying about Mike was “Papa will fix it” whether it was a broken toy, a house repair, or a scraped knee. 

Mike is also survived by two siblings, Barbara Lynn Belleau of Louisiana and Gerald Breland of Jackson, Mississippi and a special cousin who was more like a brother, Charles Breland of Clermont. 

No services are scheduled at this time, but a Celebration of Life event is being planned for later in the spring. 

The family wishes to thank everyone who has prayed, sent a card, brought food, shared a special memory, came to the hospital or our home, etc. Mike would so appreciate all of you. 

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.