A precious spirit, Phillip Garth Read, 75, returned to his heavenly home May 2, 2017, to be greeted by his mother, father, and brother. He was born August 6, 1941 to Mary Ruth Nielsen and Garth Thurman Read. Growing up mostly in American Fork, he graduated from AF High School where he excelled in sports. He was All-State in basketball and received a full-ride scholarship to the U of U. Phil served an honorable LDS mission in the Alaska/Canada mission where he made many life-long friends. He worked for IBM in their office products division, was a partner at W.M. Real Estate Co. and many other entrepreneurial endeavors. He married Ingrid Kaufman and later divorced. Then met and married his eternal sweetheart, Elise Elggren Vlam, and was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. He was blessed to be the father of 7 amazing children and 18 wonderful grandchildren, all of whom gave him great JOY! He delighted in coaching his boys in sports and supporting his girls in singing and performing. He loved BYU sports, Arabian horses, listening to Josh Groban, and truly loved family, church, friends and his country.
He is survived by his loving wife Elise and children: Drew (Karyn) Read, Stephanie (Jason) Wickens, Tisha (Michael) Digman, Ashley (Peter) Morrow, Trent (Kari) Read, Amber (Marco) Escobar, Taylor (Kaitlin) Read and his sister Nallene (Norm) Read Hampton.
We would like to thank Silverado Hospice and Home Health for their loving care. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the MS Society or to the Alzheimer's Association in Phil's name.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11 am at the Brighton Stake Center, 2895 East Creek Road, Sandy Utah. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 6-8 pm and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am both at the Stake Center.
