Samuel Richard "Dick" Read, 74, of Big Spring, died on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, in a Midland hospital. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, November 5, 2004 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Dr. Claude Craven, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.Dick was born on June 15, 1930 in Vincent, Texas to George Uel and Alta Pearl Read. He was raised in Vincent, graduated from Coahoma High School and received his associates degree from Howard County Junior College. Dick had worked as a plant operator for Texaco retiring in 1989 after 36 years. He had also farmed at Vincent for many years. Dick married Mildred L. Rainey on December 29, 1955 in Big Spring and she preceded him in death on May 29, 1991. He then married Ethel Joyce "Tommie" Tipton on June 17, 2000.He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and had served in the United States Army Engineers in the Korean Conflict.Survivors include his wife, Ethel Joyce "Tommie" Read of Big Spring; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Debbie Read of Big Spring, and Ricky and Alicia Read of Odessa; one sister, Pearl Barr of Brownfield; 3 grandchildren, Marc Read and wife, Julie of Austin, Nick Read of Midland and Milynn Read of Odessa and one great grandchild, Hailey Alice Ann Read of Austin. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bobby Read. The family suggests memorials to Home Hospice, 111 East 7th Street, Suite A, Big Spring, Texas 79720.,
