Source: http://www.hixsonbrothers.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=993533

John Woodgate Read
January 17, 1925 - May 21, 2013

Funeral services for John Woodgate Read will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday May 24, 2013 in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Pineville with Reverend Jack Sawyer officiating. Burial will be in Kitchens Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Ball.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Pineville Thursday May 23, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and continued Friday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.

John Woodgate Read, of Ball passed from this world on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 peacefully at home with his wife by his side.

Mr. Read was born on January 17, 1925 in Bisbee, Arizona and resided in numerous states as a young boy. He graduated from Pollock High School and is also a 1950 graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Forestry. After college, Mr. Read began his career employed by the Louisiana Forestry Service. Mr. Read worked in the forestry industry for Southwest Settlement and Development, Brown Paper Company, Olinkraft and Vancouver Plywood. He enjoyed a career change during the latter part of his working years, as a landman for McGinty/Durham.

Mr. Read served his community in several capacities. During his lifetime, he served as a member of the Jaycees, the Pollock Water Board, and president of the Lions Club. He was “Smokey the Bear” at the Louisiana Forest Festival, and a member of both the Louisiana Forestry Association and the American Association of Professional Landmen.

In addition, he served our country in the Army Air Corps as a gunnery instructor and was an avid gun and watch collector.

Mr. Read was preceded in death by his son, William Woodgate Read; brother, William Woodgate Read; sister, May Read Brunk; and parents, Arthur and Ethel Read.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 68 years, Margie Lee Robertson Read; daughter, Melanie Read Cole and husband, Randy of Winnfield; daughter-in-law, Dianne Colvin Read of Alexandria; sister, Lois Baker and husband, John of Monroe, Wisconsin; brother, Leslie Read of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Kimberly Meno and husband, John of Arlington, Washington, Kayla Areingdale and husband, Mike of Alexandria, Scott Read and wife, Wendy of Plaquemine, Shelley Parker and husband, Jeff of Ruston, and Kendal Singh and husband, Kevin of Ruston; and eight great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Robert Bernard, Christopher Daigrepont, Jeff Parker, Scott Read, Benjy Roscoe and Kevin Singh.

Mr. Read was a loyal member of Pineville Presbyterian Church. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Pineville Presbyterian Church, 2522 Military Highway, Pineville, LA 71360.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Michael J. Screpetis and his staff, Christus Shumpert Hospice, Mr. Read's faithful sitters and also the members of Pineville Presbyterian Church and Providence Baptist Church who frequently visited and called.