Colonel (US Army, Retired) Arthur J. Read passed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 26, 2013. During his life with us on Earth, he demonstrated strength in many roles including faithful Christian, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, soldier, American patriot, civil servant, race car driver, trumpet player, and a dear friend to many. Early in his boyhood, Art acquired the nickname “Sunny Boy Read”, because of his perpetually happy disposition. The personality traits which garnered the nickname were a part of his relationships with others throughout his life.
Arthur was born August 24, 1917, the younger of two children of English immigrants George Read and Nellie (Murdoch) Read, in Lompoc, California. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Muriel Butterfield of Lompoc, California. Art graduated from Lompoc High School in 1935. He later received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia. He entered the US Army through the California National Guard in 1940, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1941, and was activated with his unit after Pearl Harbor. While securing the coast of Washington State against the potential threat of Japanese invasion, Art met the love of his life, Jo-Anne (Duncan) Read, formerly of Hoquiam. They were married on June 27, 1942.
In early 1944, Art deployed with his unit to England and took part in the Normandy Invasion. He served throughout Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge, until after VE Day. He returned home to California in early 1946 where he was discharged from active duty. He settled in Santa Barbara with his wife and young son, Robert. Art worked for the Union Oil Company until 1950. He had rejoined the National Guard when it was reestablished in 1947. He was recalled to active duty with his National Guard unit in 1950 when the unit was called up for the Korean War. During the years in Santa Barbara, Art and Jo-Anne’s second son, Richard was born. While preparing for deployment to Korea, their third son, Donald, was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
During the Korean War, Art commanded three field artillery battalions and made the career decision to remain on active duty. The family joined him in Japan in 1952. He and his family returned to the US in 1954. His Army assignments included Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Benning, Georgia, Vicenza, Italy, Fort Monroe, Virginia, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He retired from active duty in November, 1967. Art’s military awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. Art and his family settled in the Olympia area following his Army retirement. Art worked for the State of Washington’s Office of Program Planning and Fiscal Management from which he retired as a Program Director in 1981.
During his years in the South Sound region, Art Read was active with the Lacey Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, the Tumwater Kiwanis Club, the Military Order of World Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Fort Lewis Museum Association.
Art was preceded in death by his sister, Muriel Butterfield of Lompoc, California. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo-Anne D. Read, three sons: LTC (Ret.) Robert Read (and wife Judith), Boiling Springs, PA, BG (Ret.) Richard Read (and wife Mary) Redmond, OR, and Donald Read (and wife Darcy), Richland, WA; four grandchildren: LTC Mark Read, Melinda Read, CPT Trevor Read, and Ashley Read; and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lacey Presbyterian Church or the Fort Lewis Museum Association.
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