Gene Read

1932 - 2022

Gene Read
November 25, 1932 - June 4, 2022
Rodger Eugene ("Gene") Read passed away on the 4th of June, 2022, he was 89 years of age. Gene was born November 25, 1932 in Baytown, Texas to Eva Eudoxia and Joseph Rodger Read. After attending Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Gene spent one year at Lee Jr. College before enlisting in the Army. Upon his discharge, Gene attended his much beloved Baylor University where he served as the Vice President of his Senior class before graduating from the Business School in 1958.
Gene moved to Houston and pursued a brief career in acting while working in the marketing department at Gulf States Utilities. It was during this time that he met a beautiful, young woman named Gloria Woodard from Minden, Louisiana. The two met in Sunday School class at River Oaks Baptist over a store bought potato salad (Gloria claimed it as homemade). Gene courted Gloria by taking her to a play in which he starred as the romantic lead. They fell in love and were married in 1960. Gene went on to be President of Aylin Advertising Agency and later co-founded Charter Financial Group. Gene was a natural born leader and a great communicator. He was President of all three companies he worked for. Gene also had a tremendous heart for service and served on multiple charitable organizations.
In 1972, Gene and Gloria moved their family down to the Clear Lake Area where the family spent their free time on the water boating, skiing, fishing and crabbing. Gene had a passion for, and played a significant role in, the development of the Clear Lake Area. As a developer for Charter Financial Group, Gene was active in several residential and commercial developments in the area including Taylorcrest, Bal Harbour, and Charter Square. While living in the Clear Lake Area, Gene served as President of the Clear Lake Economic Development Foundation, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, Founding Board Member of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival, King of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival, and he also emceed the Festival Ball 6 times. It has been said that Gene never met a microphone he did not like.
Gene's real passion was his family. He was a loving and very generous son to his parents. He shared his love for Baytown and Baylor with his brother Raymond Lee Read. Gene's number one love of his life was his precious beautiful wife Gloria followed closely by his two children Jeffrey Alan Read and Courtney Read Uthman. His real passion showed up though when he became a grandfather. Gene was present for every ball game, piano recital, birthday, graduation and any event that meant something to his grandchildren. He never said no. He was always available and always present. He had a unique relationship with each of his grandchildren that was based on what they liked and who they were. He was Papaw.
Through out his entire life Gene had the ability to make people feel special. He did this by being genuinely curious, getting to really know people, and then relating to them in a very sincere and selfless way.
Gene is survived by his son Jeff and daughter-in-law Lauren Read, daughter Courtney and son-in-law Sam Uthman and 6 grandchildren Austin (and wife Sarah), Travis, Bryan and Caroline Read and Zachary and Dylan Uthman and his younger brother, Raymond Read and wife Millie of Waco Texas. He is preceded in death by wife, Gloria Woodard Read.
Gene was laid to rest in a private burial on June 10th at the Memorial Oaks Cemetery. The family would like to invite all those who wish to attend a Celebration of Life service on Friday, June 24th at 1:00pm at Tallowood Baptist Church (555 Tallowood Drive, Houston)