Dennis S. Read

Dennis lived in Alaska, Washington, and California before moving to Hawaii, where he graduated from Hilo High School in 1955. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy through the enlisted Naval Reserve Program. At USNA he earned his varsity letter in fencing and sailing, graduating with the class of 1959. He was further trained as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer and attended the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned his MS in Operations Analysis.

One year after graduation, returning from his first deployment in the Pacific, he hurried east to marry Donna Josephine Blair on June 25,1960. Throughout their marriage, Donna was his supportive and loving life-mate.

During the next 25 years Dennis served on a series of ships: a destroyer, the USS Enterprise twice, a cruiser, 2 fast frigates, commanding the USS Ouellet and as the commissioning Commanding Officer of the USS Arkansas. It was during that command that he entered into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and became a born-again Christian

After retiring from the Navy in 1984, he worked in Georgia Power’s nuclear division, Atlanta, Georgia, later relocating to Vidalia, Georgia, where he served on the management staff of their nuclear-powered generating station. Next, as a General Manager he went to Southern Nuclear Corporate headquarters, Birmingham, Alabama.

Service was truly a guiding principle in his life, but serving his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, was his greatest joy. Dennis always took time to listen to all sides and considered things deeply. He read voraciously, and sought opportunities to volunteer and give himself away. Many were touched by his Bible teaching, his gentle manner, his kindness, generosity, and his loving care for all those with whom he came in contact. He gave abundantly from all that he had and was intentional in taking care of his beloved wife, his cherished family, and so many other people to whom he opened his home and heart!

In 2000 he retired from Southern Nuclear and moved with Donna to Nairobi, Kenya, to serve with Rafiki Foundation and Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF). There he was the construction manager and first director of a Rafiki Orphanage. In 2005, he began to work full-time with BSF serving in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Retiring from BSF in 2012, and returning to Birmingham, he remained active in the church, BSF, local Bible Studies and other charitable organizations. Through it all God continued to teach Dennis the importance of gratitude. He was truly grateful for all God had given him: a caring wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and a deep appreciation for God, His Word, His creation and short -term opportunities to help Rafiki in Uganda and Malawi.

His desire would be to be remembered by the words of the Psalmist, “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap, and very green.” (Psalm 92:12-14)

He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Donna Blair Read. His children: Holly (Read) and Mick Larrabee; Le Dung and Thi Truong; Drew and Michelyn (McClure) Read: Joseph Mbabu. His grandchildren: Tyler, Ryan, and Dylan Larrabee; Tate Truong; Tristan and Sutton Read.

Services will be held on Sunday, 4 February at 4 pm at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, (3207 Montevallo Rd., Birmingham, Alabama) with interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dennis’s memory may be made to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Bible Study Fellowship International, Rafik Foundation, or Paul Anderson Youth Home.