Obituary

Gary loved spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed watching western movies, mowing his lawn, sitting on the front porch watching birds, squirrels, and hummingbirds. Gary was a hard worker and spent 50+ years in construction/contractor business. He built many houses or most anything he set his hands to. Gary was so very proud of his Cherokee ancestry. He loved Susan, his wife of nearly 30 years. Gary always loved sitting on the porch with her or at the lake, enjoying natures sights and sounds. One thing Gary did not love was cell phones. He refused to use anything but a flip phone -none of those “smart idiot” phones for him. Gary served in the United States Navy from 1962-1966. He became a mine man, performing duties at sea aboard mine sweepers assisting in detection and neutralization of underwater mines. But most of all, Gary loved Jesus, the savior of his soul. He wasn’t always loud about his salvation, but he spent quiet times alone with God, read the Bible, and prayed. Gary is preceded in death by his parents , brother Danny Paul Porter, sister-Gloria June Porter Van Valkenburg, Grandparents-Daniel & Mabel Houchins Prathe, Nephew-Paul Adam Campbell, Greatnephew-Joshua Lewis Gibson, cousins-Bruce Prather ,Pam Prather and Randy Jones. Survived by: Wife-Susan J. Porter of the home, Children-Larry (Charyl) Porter, Glen(Tammy)Bement, Shelly(Rabdy)Mears, Shannon Porter, Melody Duvall, Dustin Duvall, Tommy & David Porter, Johnetta Westerfield, Twenty-nine grandchildren Twenty-seven great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and dear friends.A Memorial Service for Mr. Porter will be held, at 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Souls Harbor Church.