Paul Read

Paul K. Read, 96, Baxter, died Friday July 17, 2009 at St Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd. Services will be Tuesday 11 AM July 21st, at First Congregational Church in Brainerd with Pastor Deb Celley officiating. Private burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. The relatives will receive friends 1 hr prior to service at the church.
Paul K. Read was born on February 2, 1913 in Staples son of the late; Paul and Margaret (Britton) Read. He graduated from Staples High School, then worked at his fathers grocery store. He was united in marriage to; Ardith Cockrell on May 28, 1933 in Henning. They moved to Brainerd and worked for Hickerson Garment Factory. He entered the US Navy and served in the South Pacific during WW II. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Brainerd and started Read Distributing Co. He was a part of the formation of Brainerd National Bank and Herman National Bank. He was a member of the Congregational Church, Brainerd Rotary where he and Ardith were Paul Harris Fellows with Rotary International, Elks Club, American Legion, past president of the Brainerd School Board, past member of the Staples Methodist Church, 50 Twosomes Dance Club and Health Club. He enjoyed flying, hunting, golfing, tennis, snowmobiling and boating.

Paul is survived by 2 daughters, Kay (Leonard) Boeder of Sun City West, AZ. Mary Murrow of Maple Grove; 1 son, Tom (Esther) Read of Brainerd; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ardith; 1 daughter, Pam Krueger; 2 brothers, Chet and Dick; 2 sisters, Grace and Mil; 1 granddaughter, Carrie Krueger.