Obituary of Paul Emerson Read

Paul Emerson Read passed from this life to his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at the age of 92. He was born on June 30, 1925, in Beirne, Arkansas, but lived most of his life in Bastrop, LA.

He was a World War II veteran, having seen combat in the Philippines, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Guam and Okinawa. He became a sergeant in the 77th Infantry Division, manning a 30-calibre heavy machine gun, the Browning M1917A1. He was there at the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge in Okinawa.

He attended the University of Arkansas on a full basketball scholarship, and studying mechanical engineering.

He was a millwright and maintenance foreman at International Paper Co. for 37 years until his retirement in 1985. He was an avid hunter who spent a good part of his life in the woods.

He was an active member of First Church of God, Bastrop, for many years. The sign in front of the church was built by him from scratch, with no plans except the ones in his head.

Mr. Read was preceded in death by his parents, Tully Choice Read and Sarah Katherine Read, and two brothers, Charles Read and Wayne Read. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Juanita McGee Read, one sister, Georgia Mae Lanham, one son Paul Kelvin Read and wife Kathy, one daughter Cheryl Faye Faulkenberry and husband Dennis, three grandsons (Luke Read and wife Laura, Paul Dennis Faulkenberry and wife Brittany, Mark Faulkenberry and wife Angelia), two granddaughters (Christina Carrier and husband Matt, Emily Knox and husband B. J.), as well as six great-grandchildren.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be: Colby Chunn, Ronnie Chunn, Bobby Bright, Ron Elkins, Walter Bonner, and Tommy Bonner.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Luke Read, Paul Faulkenberry, Mark Faulkenberry, Dennis Faulkenberry, B. J. Knox, and Matt Carrier.

Visitation will be held at Golden Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017, with a celebration of his life at the Golden Funeral Home in Bastrop on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dalyn Helbling, Rev. Bodie Spicer and Ron Elkins officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.