Jack Read

Jack Read, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, surrounded by his family at home. Private family services were held. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family. Jack was born on May 5, 1931, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Harry and Irene Read. He graduated from Central Collegiate High School and went on to attend Monmouth College (Illinois) and finished school at the University of Iowa Dental School. Jack was previously married to Eleanor McCall Kay, to this union four children were born. On Dec. 22, 1984, Jack was united in marriage to Elaine Marie Ficken in Central City, Iowa. He co-founded Dental Health Partners where he practiced for 30 years. During the later years of his career, he taught dentistry at the University of Iowa. Jack loved the outdoors and being active; enjoying golf, snow skiing, and sailing on Lake Superior. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Scotland to celebrate his Scottish heritage. Jack was a member of the El Kahir Shrine Horse Patrol and an avid Hawkeye fan. He spent many enjoyable hours reading. Jack will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Jack is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 38 years, Elaine; children; Lyndsay Read McCall of Palouse, Washington, John M. Read of Brandon, Iowa, Carol L. (Michael) McNamara of Coggon, Iowa, and Craig A. (Judy) Read of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Shaun McNamara, Michelle McNamara, and Colin (Katie) McNamara; three great-grandchildren; and his extended family, Josh (Lizette) Willia, and Jeremy (Kim) Willia; and his four-legged companion, Sadie. Memorials in Jack's memory may be directed to HACAP at 1515 Hawkeye Drive, Hiawatha, IA 52233. Please share a memory of Jack at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.