John V Read

John Virgil Read passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the age of 76, in Prineville, OR . He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dorothy Read, and sister Connie Read. John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lynette Read, children Matthew (Kari) and Jennifer Read, honorary daughter Kerry Bryan, and grandchildren Michael, Mason, Mikayla, Kavan and Grace, all of California, as well as brothers Larry (Janet) Read of Arizona, Eric (Janice) Read of California, Steve (Esther) Read of Oregon,  and sister Molly (John) Ware, of Missouri.

Also known as Big John, Big Poppa, and Pops, John was a man of deep faith and conviction, and possessed a very dry sense of humor- things he drew heavily upon, and took great comfort in, as he battled numerous health issues over the past few years. Active in church, Rotary, and Band of Brothers, Active 20-30 Club as well as causes such as his church’s Haiti Mission, John valued the friendships he made, and was grateful and pleased to be able to help others in need. John counted the two times he went to Haiti to assist with building projects among the most rewarding experiences of his life.

Born and raised in Eugene, John graduated with a BA in business from Linfield College in McMinnville, and spent many summers working for the Forest Service, specifically the Eastern Fire Patrol Association of Springfield OR.  He acted as a foreman for the repair and maintenance of lookout towers, where, as it happens, he met a U of O graduate named Lynette Shaw who was working as a lookout. After marrying in 1964, John and Lyn made their home in Eugene, where John worked as a contractor, raising Matt and Jennifer, and they spent weekends and summers at a cabin that he built in La Pine, near Lyn’s parents in Bend.

Although their hearts always remained in Oregon, John and Lyn made the decision to move to Santa Cruz, California in the mid-eighties, where John helped to build a successful chain of quick lube shops, Oil Changers, LLC, along with his brother Larry Read. Eventually moving to Tracy, Ca, John handled the construction  aspect of the business, erecting shops throughout California, from San Francisco to San Diego.

Although he enjoyed his work, he and Lyn always intended to return to Oregon, and after an extensive search, decided upon Prineville in 1990 after falling in love with the landscape, the town, and the various recreational opportunities in the surrounding areas. For many years they spent the majority of the summer months in Prineville, working on improvements to the land they purchased and called Juniper Ridge Ranch. He and Lyn became full-time residents of Prineville after John retired in 2008.

An avid boater, fisherman, and hunter, John also enjoyed construction and woodworking projects, meeting with his Fellowship groups and other friends, and watching sports of any kind, but most especially football, being a ferocious fan of the Ducks. One of John’s greatest loves was his big equipment ( backhoe, D2 Cat, D6Cat, a  big orange dumptruck, and a full scale road grader). He loved puttering around, tinkering with mechanics, and driving them for work and play.

There will be no funeral services at this time. A Day of Celebration will be held later this coming summer.

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