Obituary for Gene Ready
Published in The Ledger from Dec. 16 to Dec.
17, 2015. 
LAKELAND - 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 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 and 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.
