James Douglas “Jim” Read was born on December 13, 1949 in Memphis, TN to Chase B. and Kathryn Rew Read. He departed this earth on September 27, 2023.
Jim attended first grade in North Carolina, but the family moved back to Memphis for his 2nd grade year. He attended school in Memphis until the middle of his junior year when his father moved the family to Winona, MS when he opened a manufacturing plant. Jim graduated from Winona High School.
The following was written by Jim for his class reunion: “I tried Mississippi State for three semesters and found out how bad a student I really was. I returned to Winona and worked for a year in my dad’s company. I was subsequently drafted (Viet Nam era, you know). I reported for duty in October, 1969. I completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA and Advanced Training in Construction Drafting at Fort Belvoir, VA. My permanent duty station was at Fort Riley Kansas where I was assigned to an Artillery Battalion. I then attended another advanced training in Artillery Survey. I made two trips to Germany for NATO support with my division. I was discharged from the Army in May 1972 and returned to MSU with the GI Bill; became a real student and graduated in May 1976. I moved to Houston, TX for 3 years before moving to Dallas where I accepted a job as a Computer Programmer. Working for a software company with National and International customers, I travelled extensively modifying their software package for customers. The company closed in 1990. I worked for other software companies in the Dallas area for the next several years. In 1997, I decided to move back to Mississippi to be closer to family. Having a brother in Starkville, my mother nearby in Sturgis and being a big Bulldog fan, I made the decision to move to Starkville. I returned to MSU for a short while to take additional courses in the college of business. Not wanting to return to the business of traveling all over the country as a computer programmer, I embarked on a short career in the mortgage industry. I married in 2005. Since my wife was intent on having me join her in all her volunteer efforts in Starkville, I retired from the work world in 2007. After this retirement, I worked briefly for the US Census during the 2010 census and then served three years as a VISTA volunteer. 2017 finds me completely retired and enjoying every minute of it.”
Jim was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a Life Loyal Sig and as an Alum, he served on the Housing Corporation and the Construction Committee. He was a member of Starkville First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Open Door Sunday School class. He served on the Wesley Foundation Board of Directors and the OSERVS Board of Directors. He was an active member of the Oktibbeha County Chapter of the MSU Alumni Association and was a member of the local American Legion. He was also a member of the Bulldog Club, the Women’s Basketball Booster Club, the Dugout Club and a former Baseball Foster Parent.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Chase B. Read and Kathryn Rew McNeil, his nephew Daniel Fortson and his brother-in-law Ernie Moss.
He is survived by his wife Carol Moss Read, two stepsons, Jay and Greg Perry and four grandchildren Jack, Banks, Larkin and Campbell Perry. He is also survived by two brothers Rick Read (Debbie) of Punta Gorda, FL and Jeff Read (Jane) of Starkville, a sister Gayle Fortson (Herb) of Port Angeles, WA, and a sister-in-law Vicky McGee (Larry) of Winfield, AL. Other family members include nephews Jason Read (Andrea) of Denver, CO, Josh Read (Lisa) of Columbus, MS, Jake Read (Kasey) of Charleston, SC, Jon Read (Vanessa) of Angola, IN, Will Read of Oakland, CA, Brian Fortson of Port Angeles, WA, Patrick Fortson (Cassie) of Austin, TX, Micah Fortson (Georgia) of Atlanta, GA, Scott McGee (Keely) of Birmingham, AL, Walter Moss (Emily) of Seacrest, FL, Edwin Moss (Blair) of Birmingham, AL and niece Melanie Williamson (Clark) of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by ten great nephews and ten great nieces.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers, nurses and therapists who worked with Jim over the past few years. Also a big shout out to the great friends who provided constant love and support to Jim and Carol.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Starkville First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held before the service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Those wishing to leave a tangible gift may make a donation to the Wesley Foundation at MSU, OSERVS, or the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapter Scholarship with the MSU Foundation.
We are sure Jim would want this obituary ended with a big HAIL STATE and GO DAWGS.
