Obituary of Thomas Ready

WEST COLUMBIA—Thomas David Ready III, died May 19, 2012 after an extended fight with lung cancer. Born June 11, 1942 in Columbia, SC; he was the son of the late Thomas David Ready, Jr. of Columbia, SC and the late Ora Best Preister Ready of Earhart, SC. Tom was a graduate of University High School in 1960. Tom married Carole Dawkins on May 31, 1960 in Columbia, SC, they raised their family and lived many happy years in Columbia and West Columbia. Tom was a devoted father, loving husband, dedicated brother and a pushover for his four grandchildren. He began his career in insurance in 1961 with Bankers Life in Columbia on a detached staff working out of the Augusta, GA District. Following the United/Quaker City merger in 1964, the detached staff was assigned to the Richland District in Columbia. He served in this capacity until November 1975 in Orangeburg. In 1976 the family moved to Aiken, to fulfill an appointment. In 1978, he was transferred back to the Richland District with the United Insurance Company of America out of Chicago, Illinois, retiring from the company after 30 years of service. Tom was known to always give to others in need and in the end he gave months to lung cancer. He was under the loving care of Dr. Mary Ackerman, Nurse Beth, and the fabulous staff of South Carolina Oncology Associates. Surviving him is his devoted wife, Carole, their children, Tina Darlene Ready Fagan, son-in-law, Charles Dennis Fagan and Donna Sue Ready both of West Columbia; brother, Robert P. Ready of Lexington and sister-in-law, Dianne Ready, his mother-in-law, Mary Dawkins, brother-in-law, Sammy Dawkins of Lugoff/Elgin; grandchildren, Vanessa Leigh Anne Ready, Allison Carolanne McCraw, Charles David Ready Fagan and Andrew Thomas McCraw; nieces and nephews, Tresa Ready Holley (Bill) of Virginia, Natalie Ready Gray (Chad) of Maryland and Robert P. Ready (Annette) of Annapolis, Melissa Ready (Mike), James Ready, Kristie Harrell (Will) and several great nieces and great nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his brother, James Wyatt Ready of West Columbia. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington. Funeral services for Mr. Ready will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Platt Springs United Methodist Church. Officiating will be The Reverend Becky Shirley. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorials to Platt Springs United Methodist Church Unified Budget or the Choir Fund, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29170.