Frank Thompson (Tom) Read, age 86, most recently residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025. Tom was born on July 16, 1938, in Ogden, Utah to Franklin Archie Read and Fay Melrose Thompson. As a young man and an only child, Tom became active in Scouting. He was one of 13 young Eagle Scouts selected to represent the United States on a visit to Japan in 1956.

Tom was a graduate of Brigham Young University where he excelled on the debate team, winning two national debate championships, and where he met and married Lenet Hadley. They had five children together. Tom was accepted to and was a proud graduate of Duke Law School, where he later taught and moved into the role of Assistant Dean.

Tom was appointed Dean of the University of Tulsa Law School in 1974, while in his mid-30s. Tom would later serve as law school dean at Indiana University Indianapolis, University of California - Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, and the University of Florida in Gainesville. Tom's final full-time position was as President and Dean of South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Tom was always active in his profession. He collaborated on several books, including "Let Them Be Judged: The Judicial Integration of the Deep South" and held leadership positions across several organizations, including President of the Law School Admissions Council (1984-1986). Tom was a member of the Board of Directors for Atlanta's John Marshall Law School for many years. Tom proudly participated in meaningful international work, traveling extensively to many countries to speak and to teach, with years of annual travel to Turkey to work with Bahcesehir University Graduate School of Law in Istanbul.

In the year 2000, Tom married Carol Ann Pinkney. After several years in Houston, they 'retired' to Ocala, FL and spent many years together traveling, hosting family, and golfing. Tom was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was well known in their Ocala congregation for his kind smile and warm handshake, and was a beloved youth leader and scoutmaster in his later years.

Tom developed a love of Native American culture and art. He loved telling family stories and jokes and was especially fond of telling a good lawyer joke. Tom was an avid runner for many years and completed a marathon. Tom had a wide range of interests. He enjoyed cheering on his favorite sports teams and collecting frog-themed art. Tom loved his family. Tom had a kind heart and enjoyed giving gifts to others.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents and by a great grandson, Elijah Jones. Survivors include his wife, Carol, now of Woodbridge, Virginia; his son John Read and wife Diane (Bassett) Read of Alexandria, VA; his son Richard Read and wife Kathleen (Watts) Read of Hickory, NC; his daughter Tomasin (Read) Grundvig and husband Jeffrey Grundvig of Loveland, CO; his son Jefferson Read and wife Bianca (Santos) Read of Katy, TX; his son David Read and wife Barbara (Padgett) of Dexter, MI; his stepson Ian Sheardwright and wife Melissa Sheardwright of Storrs, CT; and his stepson Justin Sheard and wife Nanette (Sim) Sheard of League City, TX. Tom is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

A funeral and burial service is planned for May 3rd at 2 pm at Leavitt's Mortuary and Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah. In lieu of flowers, we ask those who are interested to consider donating to the following organization:

https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/. Click here to donate.