Marcus Read
May 11, 1917 — February 18, 2009
CMSgt. Marcus Balfour Read, USAF, Ret., passed away on February 18, 2009 at his home in Universal City, Texas after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Marc was born on May 17, 1917 in Jasper County, Mississippi to Lemuel Carroll and Mattie Dawkins Read. His father passed away in 1918, and his mother remarried widower Jeff Upton, who himself had six young children. Their blended family ultimately produced a total of fifteen children. Upon graduating from Bay Springs High School, he went to Texas and joined the US Army AirCorp. During this time he met and married his wife of 67 years, Nahni Hamby. They were married in Midland, Texas in 1942, while he was stationed there. Together, they raised four children here in Texas and in various parts of the country and Europe, including England and France. He retired from the Air Force in 1967, after two enlistments totaling 30+ years of service, primarily as a flight chief. He spent World War II in the Philippines. Marc enjoyed working on cars, even owning his own garage at one point. Eventually Marc and his family settled in Universal City. Long after retirement from his second career, in the Civil Service, Marc continued to enjoy working on crafts and various projects in his garage. He also liked a good Louis Lamour book, his pipe, his pets, and a challenging crossword puzzle. Marc is survived by his wife, Nan; his children, Charlene Fulks, Col. Robyn S. Read and wife Karen, Mattie Read, and Steven Read and wife Lisa. He is also survived by his grandchildren Michelle Krueger-Read and husband Greg, Jennifer Read, Brad Read, and Allison Read and great-grandchildren, Brett, Marc and Abby. Additionally, he is survived by his siblings, Carl Upton and wife Betty, and sisters, Bonnie Witt, Hilda Jernigan, and Nettie Ruth Mangum. He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Marcus B. Read, Jr., his son-in-law, Donald Fulks, a great-grandson, Nicholas, and his remaining siblings. Services will be held at the Universal City United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 25 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Phillip Hefner and Chaplain Richard Sanchez, officiating. A reception given by the Stein/Morris Home Room will follow immediately at the church. The procession will leave shortly thereafter to Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery for interment, with full military honors.
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