Anthony J. Read

Anthony John Read, 49, died in Casper, Wyoming on August 8th of a heart attack while sleeping.

He was born July 26, 1975 in Vancouver, Washington and graduated from high school in Madras, Oregon in 1994. He attended Central Oregon Community College, in Bend, and in 1997 enlisted in the U.S. Navy. 

His 26-year-long naval career included serving on the USS Key West, a fast attack submarine based out of Pearl Harbor. From 1997-2003 the Key West completed three Western Pacific Deployments, two of them under War Time conditions. His team responded to the 9/11 attacks on our country, launching 27 Tomahawk Cruise missiles into Iraq.

In 2003 he took his first shore duty assignment as a Damage Control and Fire Fighting Instructor at Pearl Harbor. During this tour he met Molly Wynn and they married in 2004. With Molly by his side, he was soon promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2006.

In 2007 Anthony went back to sea on another Pearl Harbor submarine, the USS Bremerton, completing a Western Pacific Deployment and advancing to Senior Chief Petty Officer.

After 15 years away from home, Anthony and Molly returned to Washington in 2011 where he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor at the Nuclear Weapons Detachment Bangor until he was selected in 2012 as a Submarine Ordinance Limited Duty Officer.

In 2013 Anthony became Ensign Read, starting his career as a Mustang, which in the Navy is an officer who has been promoted up from the ranks of Navy enlisted personnel with no interruption of active-duty status.

In 2016 Molly and Anthony completed their family with the adoption of their son, Eli.

Once commissioned, Ensign Read became the Assistant Weapons Officer on the USS Pennsylvania (Blue crew) until 2017.

Between 2017-2023 shore duty, Ensign Read was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the Nuclear Safety Officer at Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific Bangor and then as the Tactics Department Assistant Director at the Trident Training Facility Bangor, retiring in July 2023 after 26 years in the Navy. 

Anthony loved to “build Lego”, take his chubby Corgi to run at the dog park, and watch his son playing basketball.

Anthony is survived by his wife Molly, son Eli, mother Linda Read, uncle Jim Read, “family-in-law” George and Jolyn Wynn and many extended family members in Washington state and Wyoming. 

In Anthony’s memory, encourage open dialog about addiction and mental health within your family, friends and community, and normalize seeking help. Also, when you see a veteran, say “thanks for your service”.