Mr. Richard Gramling Read Jr.

Richard Gramling Read, Jr, age 76, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior at Magnolia Senior Living in Loganville, GA on Sunday, March 23, 2025 after a hard-fought battle against Parkinson’s Disease.

Rick was born on July 21, 1948, to Richard and June Baker Read at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. A few years later his sister, Patricia, was born. The young family moved to France and then Germany where Rick began his school days on post. He learned the love of shopping from his mother, and the love of music, especially opera, from his dad.

After they returned to the states, Rick graduated from Marietta High School. He went on to attend West Georgia College where he met his future wife of 53 years, Donna Hall Read. Rick received a Batchelor’s Degree in Business but was drafted during the Vietnam era. He went on to serve 8 years active duty and 24 years in the Army Reserve. While in the Army he went to OSC and eventually earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He and Donna were married in 1971 and have three children together: Kathryn “Katey” Garner (Brad Garner), Melissa Read (Greg Schultz), and Carley Smith. They’ve been blessed with seven grandchildren: Mike Myers, Dorian McNall, Daisy Garner Kaliher (Shawn Kaliher), Alayna Burger, Wyatt Smith, Belle Smith and Haven Smith. They also one great-granddaughter, Kyla Kathryn Meyers, and are currently expecting a great grandson.

Rick worked for over 30 years at Mobile Chemical in Covington, Georgia. During this time, he was also balancing a military career in the Army Reserve.

Rick was a man with many talents and was the self-admitted “smartest man in the world”. He loved fast cars, motorcycles, and planes. He also loved sports and hobbies such as hang-gliding, racquetball, hiking, walking, basketball, snow skiing, skydiving, scuba diving, flying, and especially tennis. He had a knack for many crafts like wood working, creating and engraving jewelry, and making stained glass works of art.

He loved his church family from Smoke Rise Baptist and had many friends from work, sports activities, and his military career. Even in his final days at assisted living, he never met a stranger.

Rick, or Big Dad, as he was lovingly called by his grandchildren, and great-grandchild, will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to his church Smoke Rise Baptist in Stone Mountain, GA.

A visitation for Richard will be held Friday, April 4, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039. A funeral service will occur Friday, April 4, 2025 AT 11:00 AM, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039. A committal service will occur Friday, April 4, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, GA 30039.