Reverend “Gentle Ben” Read, 67, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family Thursday, April 19, 2018.
Son of Elvin and Pauline Read, Ben was born in Odessa, Texas on May 29, 1950. He graduated from Odessa High School and went on to attend McMurray College where he met and married Stella Hennigh Read May 24, 1971. He then attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He served as a United Methodist minister in the North Texas Conference for 45 years. He retired to Wichita Falls in 2016, where he attended First United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and beautiful sister, Daphne Ann Riley.
He is survived by his wife Stella; children Billiker Read, Kasi Baudo and husband Chris, Krysla Darden and husband Greg, and Davyd Read and wife Rebecca; eleven lively grandchildren: Noah and Sam Read, Zachary and Ava Baudo, Raylee Jay, Ryan, and Ryder Darden, Dylan, Drew, Ella Paige, and Adeline Read; mother-in-law Winona Hennigh; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service in celebration of Ben’s life will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, followed by a time of fellowship with the family.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, 1230 Midwestern Parkway, Wichita Falls, TX 76302, Interfaith Ministries 1101 11th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, Beverly Drive UMC, 813 North Beverly, Wichita Falls, TX 76305, and First United Methodist Church of Wichita Falls, 909 10th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com.