Thomas A. Readling, M.D.
November 21, 1933 ~ April 26, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Dr. Thomas A. Readling, 79, retired Asheville pediatrician, died Friday, April 26, 2013, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
Dr. Readling was born on November 21, 1933, in Cornelius, NC, to the late Harold and Susie Readling. On May 21, 1956, he graduated from Wake Forest College where he served in the Army R.O.T.C. On June 30, 1956, he married the love of his life, Betty Jo Huskins. He was a member of the 1960 graduating class of Bowman Gray School of Medicine (now Wake Forest University School of Medicine). Upon graduation, he received a commission as an officer in the United States Army. Dr. Readling completed his pediatric internship at Martin Army Hospital in Fort Benning, Georgia, and his pediatric residency at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas. He then served as Chief of Pediatrics at Ireland Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
In 1965, after resigning his Army commission, Dr. Readling moved to Asheville where he was a founding partner of Asheville Pediatric Associates. He retired in 2001 after 41 years of pediatric practice.
Dr. Readling was a member of the Buncombe County Medical Examiners. He served as the pediatrician at the Baptist Home for Unwed Mothers and was also on the Board of Directors for Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital from 1979-1996.
Dr. Readling was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving on the Building Committee for the Children's Building, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Deacons. He was a member of the Agape Sunday School class and enjoyed serving as the outreach leader.
Dr. Readling is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jo Huskins Readling; four children, Sheree R. and Jim Bissett, Teree R. and Charlie Crawford, Amy R. and Michael Shaffer, Alex and Angela Readling; eight grandchildren, Emily Bissett and fiancé Keith Lauria, Caroline Bissett, Meagan Crawford Lancaster and husband, Frankie, Morgan Crawford and fiance Hillary Roark, Melody and McKaylee Shaffer, Clayton and Ben Readling; sister, Frankie E. Roach and brother Vance Readling and his wife, Jean.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at First Baptist Church, Asheville. The Rev. Dr. Guy Sayles and the Revs. Leah Brown, David Blackmon, and Eddie Morgan will officiate.
Interment with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, or to Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 200 East 1st Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Readling family. He was the BEST doctor! We had the privilege of being patients of his for over 18 years!
Much love,
The Core Family
Dear Betty Jo and family,
I am so very sorry to hear such sad news. I have always been so fond of Dr. Readling and his family. I truly loved working with you too and missed you terribly when you guys retired. I love you both dearly and will always hold you dear to my heart. You and your precious family are in my thoughts and prayers….
love always, Kristy Bartlett Jarrett
Dear Betty Jo and family
So sorry to hear about Dr Readling. I pray that God gives strength and peace during this difficult time. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Thoughts and prayers coming your way. If I can be of assistance in any way please let me know.
Betty Jo, May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make his face to shine upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Amen
what a great and caring boss and a
wonderful friend. i will miss him
very much.
Betty Jo and family so sorry to hear the news,,,He was the Best. I have two sons,one 50 and one 43,,he was their Doctor my kids loved him,,God put him on Earth for a purpose and he served it well,,cherish his memories they are forever,,There is a new star in the sky watching over you…
Jean Parham
To all The Readling family,You are in my thoughts and prayers. Dawn Calhoun
To the Readling family,
What a dear man. My children were patients and we loved him. He was so caring. My sympathy goes out to you.
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Readling. He was my dr. and my kids dr. too. He was so kind and caring. He even cared for me when I got pregnant at 18. I always said if anything happened to me before my kids was grown, I wanted him to adopt them. That’s how much I thought of him! We have assurance that we can see him again in Heaven! I am sure he’s up there with Luke talking about their occupation as drs. God Bless his family!!
Thinking of you all as you walk this part of the journey. Much love–Betsy, friend of Amy’s from AMS
As we pass the Readling house each day we will remember the love that has, and will be displayed, by your family. May you continue to be blessed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Betty Jo and Family,
Our love, sympathy and prayers are with you. I’ve never forgotten Tom telling me once when I was worried about something I’d taken Kevin in for that worrying was like rockin’ in a rocking chair. You’d rock and rock and never go anywhere.’ What a wise and dear man. He will be missed.
Audrey & Tom Hall
We are blessed by knowing the Readling Family.Tom was a good friend and a good man. He will ne missed.
Dr. Readling was my absolute favorite doctor of all time. I am almost 41 and can remember Mom taking my sister and I to his office. He even had a ‘favorite’ freckle on my nose! He was the kindest, sweetest man. I am sorry for the Readling family’s loss.
Dr. Readling was my doctor growing and up and both my children’s doctor until 2001 when we moved to SC around the time he retired. He was on my mind a lot last week and I even asked my mom if she knew how he is doing. He was a wonderful and well loved doctor. We could not find a pediatrician in SC that could live up to our expectations after being cared for by him. Praying for you all at this time.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. He was my doctor, my kids doctor and then I was glad to be able to work with him at Asheville Peds. He will be missed.
Dr. Readling was a neighbor of ours when we lived in Asheville. He was a great man. To all of his family: May God give you comfort at this time of saddness. He will be greatly missed!
Dr. Readling took care of me and my children! He was the best doctor! I loved him and respected him gratefully! I will be praying for the whole family!
Dr. Readling, although I only knew you as Amy’s dad, you will be terribly missed. You were a staple at the ballfields cheering the girls on. That will be missed.
Mrs. Readling, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how much your heart aches. I pray peace will come to you soon and that He lifts your burdens.
I was a patient from the time he came to Asheville and joined Dr. McGuffin at the old Doctors Park Office. He was the only Pediatrician my children ever went to. He will be greatly missed. He is a great man.
What a sweet loving Pediatrician Dr. Readling was..I will be 54 in July and I remember how special he would make me feel whenever I was sick…I never objected going to the doctor when I was a little girl because he was so kind to me whenever I needed to be seen. God Bless his family.
Keeping you all close in my heart and prayers during this difficult time. May you have peace knowing he has seen the face of Jesus and is being held in His Savior’s arms.
He was such an awesome person, who was a great doctor to me and then my child. I feel so honored to call him my friend.
Thank you Readling family for sharing your Dad!!!!!!
God be with all the family thru this sad time. Dr.Readling was my docter and my sons docter as well. He was a wonderful man.
Dr. Readling was a wonderful Doctor. I was always so thankful when he was my sons Dr. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. My God bless you and give you comfort in knowing that he is now with his Savior.
Thank you for all the wonderful care you gave our family. Our love and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Dr. Readling was my daughter Kacie’s doctor. He was so wise and compassionate. I remember when he retired,Kacie was 11. She cried because she loved him so much. He was very loved by our family. Our prayers are with you.
Dr.Reading was my Doctor when I was a little girl..He was always so kind and gentle and he had a heart for his little patients…He loved us and we loved him….so sorry for your loss, may God give you the strenght that you need to walk through this…May you be comforted in knowing that you will be rejoined with him on the streets of Heaven some day…..this separation is just temporary…..
We were your neighbors many years ago on Bull Mtn. Road. Dr. Readling pierced my ears in your kitchen when I was 12. That was 44 years ago! What a wonderful man.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Sending sympathy to the family of this fine man, as well as prayers for comfort.
Amy and family, Julie and I send our prayers and deepest sympathy to all of you. Dr. Readling was a wonderful man. He was the doctor for Julie and her 3 sisters when they were growing up. His was a life well lived.
Our family sends our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Readling. He was a wonderful man and Doctor to my two sons.
Teree and family,
I send you my wishes for peace and comfort in this difficult time. May the pain and sorrow you feel today be replaced with loving memories and joy in the future life with your Dad that will never be interrupted.
Mrs. Betty Jo and entire family:
One of my favorite things about Dr. Readling that I have always appreciated and enjoyed was his matter-of-factness and being straightforward about what he thought. While not wasting any time, he was still patient and kind. I will always remember him and smile when I think about him for that.
His life was a witness for Christ. God Bless you during this time; and he will be missed by many. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Dr Readling was my children’s doctor for many years. Peace be with your family at this difficult time.
Prayers of comfort and peace for the family. Godspeed Dr. Readling.
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. Dr. Readling was a great doctor but an even better person – a man of true kindness, compassion, and integrity. God now has another angel among Him.
Dr. Readling took care of my sons for many yrs.. Wonderful Dr. and man. Prayers for the family. May God give you His ‘ Peace that passes all understanding’
I;m deeply sadden by the death of Dr. Readling, i went to school with Teree. Even though i never went to him as a child, i really admired him. His love for children was amazing, and his love for life was also, Teree I’m so sorry, for your loss, God bless you and your family .
To the family of Dr. Readling, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful Dr. He was my Dr. & also my daughter Hannah’s. I can remember the last time she saw him, before he retired. I couldn’t quit crying that day. I will never forget him. Thank you for sharing him with so many people.I will be praying for you all!!
Words cannot express how loved Dr Readling was by my family.As my pediatrician as well as my daughter Heather who is soon to be 32 he was not only our Dr. but always made us feel we had a friend as well.To your family, I will say prayers for your family as you go through this difficult time. Vicky and Heather Ramsey
It was very sad when I read in today’s paper about the passing of Dr Readling.. He was my pediatrician when I was young girl and I guess that would probably have been 40 years ago. I will never forget his kind heart and his amazing abilities Growing up I had severe allergies he offered my parents that I could stay with his family for a few days to figure out what was wrong. As it turned out I had to be admitted to the hospital but I will never forget his kindness he was such an incredible man. The children in heaven will love their new angel.
Sheree and Jim – We were so sorry to learn of Dr. Readling’s passing. Please know you and your family are in our prayers, and the prayers of many others, in your time of loss.
With our love in Christ,
I’m very heartbroken to hear about the passing of a great Dr. This man saved my life 33 yrs ago and I had the honor of letting him care for my son. You will be greatly missed Dr. Readling. I love you. My prayers are with the family and Godspeed.
It was very sad when I read in today’s paper about the passing of Dr Readling.. He was my pediatrician when I was young girl and I guess that would probably have been 40 years ago. I will never forget his kind heart and his amazing abilities Growing up I had severe allergies he offered my parents that I could stay with his family for a few days to figure out what was wrong. As it turned out I had to be admitted to the hospital but I will never forget his kindness he was such an incredible man. The children in heaven will love their new angel.
Offering my deepest condolences to the family. Please take comfort in the bible’s promise of a time when death will be no more.(Rev.21:3,4) May Jehovah God give you the strength to endure this difficult time.
Many warm thoughts go to your family on the passing of Dr. Readling. He was my pediatrician and the best doctor I’ve ever had. Gentle, kind and caring. May you find comfort from the Great Physician during this time. Blessings ~
We were so saddened to learn of Dr. Reading’s passing. My children were his first patients in Asheville and my granddaughter was his first ‘grand patient’. We could never have raised our children without his kind and loving care. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Readling and all of the family. May God richly bless all of you.
He was a wonderful man. Eva, Olivia & I loved him
My thoughts and prayers to the family of a wonderful doctor. I know you will miss him. He was my children’s pediatrician. They are in their 30’s now. If only one came in to see him he always asked about the other; never forgetting who they were. He was the best!
Dr. Readling was my doctor and also my brother’s doctor when we were children. I’ll never forget how he held my hand & comforted me when I cried as a teenager when he told me I probably wouldn’t get any taller (I was only 4’8′ at the time). To his surprise I did grow another 3 inches after that! My brother never has trusted another doctor the way he did Dr. Readling. He was a wonderful doctor and a wonderful man. He will be missed! May the Lord bless & comfort his family during this difficult time.
Mrs. Readling and family,
We were saddened to hear of Dr. Readling’s passing. He was our son’s pediatrician for 18 years, until he had his college physical. Chris always loved your husband and we felt he was a wise doctor. As an infant and toddler, Chris had seizures and your husband calmed us down after he was hospitalized, tests were done. He said he would probably out grow them and he did! We always thought a lot of Dr. Readling and the wise advice he gave us as Chris grew up. He is 39 now, married and had two children of his own, a boy, 3 1/2, and a girl, 1 1/2.
You and your family will be in our prayers and thoughts. God be with you.
Tommy & Ruth Logan
(Tommy works at Tyson’s and has sold you and Dr. Readling carpet)
Sheree,
I was sorry to read of the death of your father. When you were at Wake and I was at Salem, we were in SS together at First Baptist in W-S along with Jimmy Slate and Bryan Chestnut. I remembered your dad was a pediatrician in Asheville, so when my family moved here in 1987, we took our daughter to Asheville Pediatrics, and I told your dad about our acquaintance. Hope you are well through this sadness. Martha
Dear Mrs. Readling, Amy, and family,We were deeply saddened by Dr. Readling death. He was a wonderful man as well as an awesome doctor. I could not have raised my kids without his knowledge and love for both their health and well being. God bless you all.
We have lost a fine physician and a very decent human being. Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and loved ones.
Betty Jo and family: I do not think I have to tell you how special Dr. Readling was to me. He made a big impression in my life and he was a wonderful example of caring for his family ,patients and anyone that crossed his path. He will be greatly missed but I know he would want all of the ones that loved him so much to not forget the love of his life. Betty Jo you are very special to me. I am as close as the phone if you need me. You have a wonderful family that I know will be there for you.The service was beautiful. I Love You! Dianne.
Dr. Readling took care of both my children, Maria Plyler and Patrick Milstead and I could not have wanted a more caring, gentle, patient doctor to care for them. He had a lovely sense of humor, was dedicated to the children and just a lovely, God-fearing man. I know you will miss him. My sincere sympathy and condolences.
Dr. Readling was my Pediatrician. More than that, he was a comfort to me and my family through all of the allergy shots, tummy aches, and fevers. He held himself so far above the level of mediocrity, expressing compassion, wisdom, and quiet leadership to so many young families struggling to understand parenting, sickness, and growth. He will stand as an example of character for any physician willing to learn from a life lived for others. We honor Dr. Readling as the hands and feet of the healing and helping ministry of Jesus Christ.
God bless your family. I hope you a find confort in knowing he is in a wonderful place and how fortunate we all were to have known him.
So sorry to hear of Dr. Readling’s passing. My mother> Myrtle Miller Simpson worked for Asheville Pediatrics for several years, my sons were taken care of there. Wonderful memories of Dr. Readling, he was truly a wonderful man and a wonderful doctor.
Dear Mrs. Readling, Sheree, Teree, Amy, Alex and all the in-laws and grandchildren. I was so saddened to hear of Dr. Readling’s passing. What a wonderful legacy he left in all of you and in all of the people he touched throughout his life and career. I remember him as a gentle and kind man. My thoughts are with you through this time of loss. Much love to you all.
Dear Readling Family,
I was very sad to hear of Dr. Readlings passing. He and Dr. MacAnally were my children’s primary doctors and I was always so pleased with their compassion and interest. I also knew other family members through my job here at Dr. Chambers office. Dr. Readling was always so helpful to us with our mutual patients. Please know we are thinking of you all.
Dear Mrs. Readling and ‘kids’,
We’re very sorry to hear about Dr. Readling. We were all so lucky to grow up in FBC-Asheville and have such great roll models like Dr. Readling. Wonderful memories. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Carole and Joel
Dr. Readling was the pediatrician for me & for my siblings. He was there the day I was born in 1967 and I remember visiting him until teen years. What a blessing his professionalism & manner was to the Asheville community. Heartfelt prayers to the Readling family from the Hall family of West Asheville.
Dr. Readling was our children’s doctor as they were growing up. We thought highly of him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Kindest condolences from one of Dr. Readling’s many patients from over the years. He was my doctor as a small child/adolescent when I lived or visited Asheville in the 1960s and 1970s. I came from a poor background and I looked up to him (my grandmother wanted me to be a doctor just like him). I remember he had very distinctive eyes with which he quickly sized me up!
He was always very kind and gentle and I actually looked forward to going to see him.
Dr. Readling was my doctor from birth until I was 18! I was thinking about him last night and thought I would google his name and came upon his obituary. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I loved him dearly and will always remember him!