Thomas Gene Ready

Gene Ready was born in Lakeland on May 27, 1941, and passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2015. He fought a courageous battle against that horrific disease, cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Jewell Ready; his brother, Royce Ready; and his sister, Janice Buchanon. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, who will love him forever; his cherished daughters and sons-in-law, Kelly and Pat Hicks, and Kim and Doug Brady; and his totally adored grandchildren, Hunter Hicks, Patrick Hicks, Jack Brady, Jared Brady, and Will Brady. Other surviving family are his brother and sister-in-law, Al and Sue Ready; sisters Betty Jewel Robnett and Katherine Gilliland; brother-in-law Sonny Martin (Doris) and sister-in -law Sharon Zeier (Rick); numerous special nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. Gene is a graduate of Lakeland High School Class of 1960. He was captain of the football and baseball teams, and was a pitcher and outfielder on the last LHS team to win a state championship in 1959. He worked his way through Florida State University and was awarded a baseball scholarship his junior year. He was a proud member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, where he received great support during his years at FSU. The friendships with his ATO Brothers have continued through the years. He graduated from FSU in 1964. Gene and Barbara were married while at FSU and celebrated their 52nd anniversary this year. After graduating from FSU, Gene taught school briefly, but soon began a business career. He worked in personnel at Owens-Illinois Glass Company and at Martin Marietta before beginning a long and successful career in Commercial Real Estate. He ran his business, Ready Capital Group, until his death. Gene served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1976 to 1984, representing Polk, Osceola, and Highlands counties and then South Lakeland in a single-member district. Among his legislative accomplishments were passage of the Public Housing Financing Act for Affordable Housing, the Industrial Siting Act, and the law establishing the Florida Boxing Commission. He was recognized as one of the most promising State Legislators during his freshman year, and also by several organizations as their Legislator of the Year during his years of service. Gene has remained a loyal and active supporter of Florida State, where he and Barbara endowed a baseball scholarship. He is a longtime member of the Seminole Boosters and was elected National Chairman for the 2013-14 year. He was so very proud of that great honor, especially when the 'Noles won a National Championship during his term. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Watson Clinic Cancer and Research Center, the staff on B-6 at Lakeland Regional Health, and the nurses and staff of Cornerstone Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held this Saturday, December 19, at 11:00 AM at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham, Lakeland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's Memory to Cornerstone Hospice (2590 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881-1875) or to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org or 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.) Service: 12/19/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Fl 33801