Read Joseph Castleberry

Read Joseph Castleberry was born April 29, 1984, to parents Thomas and Terri Castleberry. He passed away unexpectedly at age 38, on December 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Oh, how he was loved! Read was a devoted husband to his adoring wife of 8 years, Anne Dillavou Castleberry, and an amazing father to his two-year-old son, Wyatt Read.

Read was a 2002 graduate of First Baptist Academy Dallas High School, where he was a state champion wrestler and pole vaulter. He was an honors graduate of Texas Tech University in 2006, where he became a die-hard Red Raiders fan and an ardent follower of Mike Leach. While at Tech, he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he developed many friendships and entertained all with his antics.

Read was the epitome of a fun time and always had a child-like glimmer in his eye. He loved movies and entertained all with his impersonations and costumes. Whether he was portraying Wyatt Earp, Darth Vader or Cookie Monster, he always had a library of funny videos, could seem to pull one up to fit any occasion and leave us all laughing. Of course, he would show those funny videos to anyone, whether they wanted to watch or not. He seemed to be able to quote every line of dozens of movies whether it was Tombstone, Die Hard or Moana. Read could make you feel special without even trying. It is this, more than anything else, that drew Anne to him.

His favorite party trick was drawing a perfect picture of the United States on any napkin or church bulletin. A living, breathing game of Trivial Pursuit, Read could recite fun but obscure facts about every president from Washington to Biden and unique details about the capital of every state. For the past two years, nothing was more important to Read than spending time with Wyatt, whether it was playing trains, swimming or watching the Australian kid’s show, Bluey. Read’s beloved dog, Ranger, seemed to follow his every command and humored us all with his willingness to be dressed up and pose for pictures all to please his human. Read could hold a conversation on most any topic but had a profound distaste for silence, which at times seemed to drive him to dig deep into even the most trivial of topics.

Read’s generosity was one of his greatest gifts. He loved surprising Wyatt and his nieces and nephews with meaningful, well thought out gifts.

As an organ donor, his generosity would prove to be one of his lasting legacies. Thanks to Read, a twenty-four-year-old from Houston, Texas, now has a life-giving liver. Two others now have healthy kidneys. We could not be prouder of Read and thankful for his immense love for others.

Read followed in his dad’s footsteps and became a State Farm agent in east Dallas. Read was a member of Greenland Hills Methodist Church where he and Anne were involved in the children’s ministry. Philippians 4:13 was Read’s favorite verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We will all need the strength of Christ to face life without our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle.

Read is survived by his wife Anne Castleberry; son Wyatt Read, parents Thomas Read and Terri Castleberry; sisters Erin Lamb and her husband Mark; Sara Hentschel and her husband Jason; nieces and nephew Ryann and Lily Lamb, Emma and Martin Read Hentschel; mother and father-in-law Amy and Jim Dillavou; brothers-in-law Brian Dillavou and his wife Kristen, Mark Dillavou and his wife Jen, and nieces and nephew, Katherine, J.T. and Ellie Dillavou; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends for a visitation Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenland Hills Methodist Church, 5835 Penrose Ave., Dallas, Texas a funeral service to celebrate Read’s life will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Andrew Fiser officiating.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@greenlandhillsumc or https://www.facebook.com/greenlandhillsumc/live/

There will be childcare provided for first graders and under.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given toward the college fund of Wyatt R Castleberry.

Checks made payable to:

State Farm Ins./ Wyatt R Castleberry 529 Plan

Mail to:
Wyatt R Castleberry 529 Plan
5960 W. Parker Rd, #278-335
Plano, Texas 75093