Dick Porter

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Richard “Dick” Lavere Porter, age 94 of Sun City, Az. passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019 in Sun City.

Richard was born July 10, 1924 in Kincaid, Ks. to Temperance Estelle (Main) and Glenn Arthur Porter.

Richard, the road and bridge builder, the real estate man, the Freeman Hospital Volunteer, the Chicken Dinner man at the Methodist Church and the Story Teller would like you to know that his work here is done! He received a call from above, the sort of offer you can’t refuse. For an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a heavenly reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a long time. His new mission takes him to a wonderful place where he will be reuniting with Nelle, Cindy and Brian and the rest of the family that has left us. Laughter and love are guaranteed, the food is delicious and you never gain an ounce! He left detailed instructions for his family to celebrate. His mission here has now been completed. Low adherence to this instruction will not be tolerated!

Richard attended school through 8th grade at Lanagan, Mo. and then Noel High School in Noel, Mo. He was the yearbook editor, orations, student council, National Honor Society, class officer, basketball and softball. After high school in 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air-Corps. He trained and went on thirty missions as a ball-turret gunner and a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator “Times-a-Wastin”. He received Silver Wings, the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Clusters. He was discharged as a Sargent in 1945.

May 11, 1945, in Jay, Ok., he married his life long sweetheart Nelle Cloud. He attended Pueblo Junior College in Pueblo, Co. and then University of Colorado in Boulder, Co. where he received a BS in Engineering and a BS in Business. After graduation from college, Richard went to work for Peter Kewitt Sons’ Company in Colorado, later in Phoenix, Az. and then on to Albuquerque, N.M. After retiring from Kewitt as a District Manager, he was active in commercial real estate, holding a brokers license in Albuquerque. After retiring, Richard and Nelle traveled across the U.S. and Canada for six years in a small motor home towing a small jeep. They bought a home in Joplin, Mo. where they lived for more than twenty years. He moved to Sun City, Az. in 2016.

After fourteen years of marriage they adopted two children, Cynthia Ann who passed away December 19, 2005 at her home in Garland, Tx. and Brian Glenn Porter who passed away March 28, 2013 in Albuquerque.

During his lifetime, he was active in the Methodist Church, Mended Hearts Volunteer in Chapter 269 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. He was on the Albuquerque Board of Realtors Mortgage Finance Committee. He was a trainer in the American Red Cross, a life member of the VFW Post 2182 in Farming, N.M.

He is survived by a brother; James Porter of Temecula, Ca., a sister; Nancy Childress of Sun City, Az., and many nieces and nephews; Doug (Katie) Porter, Morgan Miller, Wanda (Bud) Starkey and their family Justin, Jessica, Emma and Mila, Shirl Childress, Debbie (Chris) Harmonson, Terry (Ericka) Brosch, Lucille (Fern) Porter and her family, Robert (Barbara), Ricky (Laura), Danny (Charlotte) and Carolyn. Nelle’s family, Della (Cloud) and Steve Stauber and their family Carrie and Craig, Randy (Patty) Sweet, Todd Sweet and Kelly Sweet.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Nelle, daughter, Cynthia, son, Brian, sisters, Marie, Wanda and Patricia (Porter) Petry, brothers, Robert and Donald, nephew, Mike Childress and nieces, Tammy Petry and Tracy (Porter) Miller.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Burial will follow at Lanagan Cemetery in Lanagan, Mo. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation prior to the service beginning at 10:00 Monday morning.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.