Tom Read

Tom Read of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on January 13, 2017. He was 92. He was born on May 1, 1924 in Baton Rouge, LA and moved to Lake Wales in the 1960's from Miami. Tom was retired from working with Polk County after some 20 years. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and he loved bee keeping , actually starting at the young age of nine. Tom also was a member of the Winter Haven Moose Lodge and enjoyed his time fishing, painting and reading, especially about history. He will be remembered as a quiet gentleman who loved his family and enjoyed his time with his family telling stories and singing songs and hearing their laughter. Tom is survived by his wife, of 34 years, Margaret Read and her family; children, Donna VanNort and her husband, Greg of Kentucky, Darrell Jones and his wife, Tammy of Alabama, Darrenn Jones of Lake Wales, FL, Deborah Marshall of Haines City; nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, all of whom he loved as if his own and going as far as to help raise 2 of the grandchildren. Tom is also survived by his sister, Winston George of West Palm Beach, FL and niece, Helen McGary of Florida as well as several more nieces and nephews. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday, at Oak Ridge Funeral Care Haines City, from 2:00 pm until the celebration of life service at 3 pm with Pastor Wayne Culver of Still Water Christian Life Center officiating.