JACK WOODROW READ

12/25/1926 - 04/03/2023

Jack Woodrow Read passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, April 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Mentally sharp to his last day, he was 96 years young.

Born at home in Houston’s Montrose area on Christmas day, December 25, 1926, Jack’s family included his father, Albert Woodrow Read, a rice farmer in Pearland and Alvin, Texas, his mother, Louise Eugenie Read, who moved to the U.S. from Paris, France when she was 18, and an older brother, Raymond Roger Read. The family moved to the Hyde Park subdivision in 1931 with Jack attending Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School. As a member of Houston’s Boy Scout Troop number 2, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, attending Camp Phil Turn (now Philmont) in New Mexico during the summer. At Lamar, Jack excelled in academics and athletics, lettering in both football and track, as quarterback and as a member of the school’s city champion 440-yard relay team.

Two days after graduating from high school at age 17 in June 1944, Jack enrolled at Texas A&M College (now University), and was a member of the Corps of Cadets, attending two semesters before enlisting in the Navy. He served as a radio operatorgunner in the Naval Air Corps until 1946, when he returned to Texas A&M to study business and economics, graduating with a B.S. as a member of the Class of 1948. After college he worked in sales for American Rice Growers, Inc., in Pearland, TX, followed by management positions at Gulf Coast Rice Mill and Sun Rice and as vice president and general manager for Moore Rice Mills in Katy, TX. In addition, he was managing partner of Read Partners, LP, overseeing operations until his retirement, when he sold the family farm to the Pearland Independent School District.

In 1947, Jack met the love of his life, Val Dean Werner, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They married on September 24, 1949, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Houston. They became members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church in 1954 and joined the Randy Smith Bible class in 1978. Jack served St. Luke’s as a member of the Board of Stewards and the Houston project committee. He helped build three houses as a member of St. Luke’s Habitat for Humanity team and was a hurricane relief volunteer with the United Methodist Committee on Relief, providing repairs and rebuilding homes. A skilled woodworker, he was a member of St. Luke’s woodshop team (the Elves of Edloe) repairing furniture and homes, building porches and ramps and helping make thousands of toys for nonprofits each year. He also served St. Luke’s as an usher, prayer room volunteer and a Stephen Minister. In 2018, he completed the Walk to Emmaus and was honored with Val Dean to receive St. Luke’s Distinguished Life Award for their many years of service. They celebrated 70 years of marriage before Val Dean’s passing in August 2020.

Together they raised four children, with Jack serving as scoutmaster, Boy Scout leader, PTA president and little league coach. Jack could repair almost any broken toy, appliance or tool. He taught his children and grandchildren how to take care of all things green and growing and how to hunt, fish, sail and water ski. The family treasured days spent at the family farm in Pearland and the lake house in Grapeland. Friends and neighbors often joined the Read family for summer vacations throughout the

U.S. and many winter breaks skiing in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

Jack’s greatest love and pride was his family, including four children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren who called him “GrandJack.” Survivors include daughter Debby Liesse (Rick) of Houston, and their children Nick

Liesse of Seattle, WA, Matt Liesse of Austin, TX and Liz Tabor (Johnny) and their son Hudson of Chapel Hill, NC; daughter Susan Doherty (Pat) and their sons Jack Doherty (Jennifer) and their children Caroline, Jackson and Charlotte, and Clark Doherty (Katherine), all of Houston; son Doug Read (Teresa) and their children Taylor Read (fiancé Brian Hatcher) and Zachary Read, all of Richardson/Dallas; and son Steven Read (Mona) and their daughters Ashley Read (fiancé Matt Hay) and Emily Read, all of Houston. Jack especially enjoyed presenting Ashley and Emily with their Texas A&M class rings in ceremonies at College Station in 2021 and 2022 (whoop!).

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Val Dean, his brother Raymond (wife Kit) and their daughter Diane Read Clark, and his wife’s two sisters and their spouses. He is also survived by many much-loved nieces and nephews and their families, including his brother’s sons Mike Read (Jen) of Bethany Beach, Delaware and Randy Read of Katy, Texas.

The family would like to thank Jack’s wonderful caregivers, Michelle Evans, Kathryne Skinner and Carla Willis for their gentle care and support of our father and to Houston Hospice for their assistance.

A private memorial and graveside service was held at Forest Park Westheimer on Saturday, April 8, officiated by Rev. Colin Bagby from

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Those wishing to honor Jack may contribute to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77027, or to the Texas A&M Foundation. Please visit www.dettlingfuneral.com to share memories online.

A man who chose his words carefully, Jack was very wise and patient. Much loved by neighbors, family and lifelong friends, he led a life of dignity, decency and modesty that many people would aspire to. By example he has shown us that a father’s legacy is not riches, possessions or worldly goods of any kind. It is the way he lived, the lives he touched, the promises he kept. It is the kind of man he was.