Joe H. Porter

Joe H. Porter passed away peacefully Saturday morning February 25, 2012, at his home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 95. Joe was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 1, 1916, and was the son of Talmadge Newton and Mabel Wottring Porter. He grew up in Marion, Ohio, and was a graduate from Marion High School. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rachael K. Bean, whom he married on April 2, 1942. They were married 57 years until her death in 1999. Joe served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. After completing Officer Candidate School, Joe was stationed in England and was part of the European Invasion Force, landing on Utah Beach in 1944, on D Day plus twenty. Following the war, he completed his education and graduated from the Ohio State University with a BS in Education. He taught Distributive Education for many years at both Central and West High Schools and finally retired from the Columbus Public School System in 1977. He and Rachael were long-time members of the Columbus Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, and they traveled extensively with their Airstream trailer over the years. Joe served this organization as its treasurer. Joe and Rachael were members of Overbrook Presbyterian Church for many years and Joe served his God and his church as both a Deacon and an Elder. He is survived by his daughter, Jill P. Anthony and son-in-law David C. Anthony, Jr. and son, Joe H. (Jack) Porter, Jr. and daughter in-law, Cyndy Miller Porter, He leaves behind other loving family members Maureen Porter, Charles and Mary Beard, their sons Jim and wife Lynda, David and wife Ketti, and their families, his sister, Martha Porter, nephews David, Frank, Timothy, Daniel, Tam, and Steve Porter, Gerald and Jeff Brown, and their families, and niece Carol Krinsky and her family. His grandchildren are Jennifer Boswell and her husband, David Boswell, David (Chip) Anthony, III and his wife, Kristin, Joseph Porter and his wife, Claire, Kathryn Porter, and Steven Jay Porter. He is survived by four great-grandchildren Rebecca and James Boswell and Chace and Paige Anthony. He was preceded in death by his siblings La Roma Brown, Don Porter, and grandson, Jay Harmel Porter. In 2002, Joe moved to Houston, Texas, to be closer to his family and resided at the University Place Retirement Community where he served for many years as the Residents’ Counsel President. He was much beloved by his friends, fellow residents, and care-givers. The family is especially grateful for the tender, loving care he received the last weeks of his life from the University Place Nursing Center and Patient Assisted Services staff, and Yolanda Perales. Visitation hours from 9:00 am to 10:00 am will be followed immediately by the funeral service on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43221. Interment to follow at Maplewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the University Place Endowment Fund in care of University Retirement Community, 7480 Beechnut, Houston, Texas, 77074. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.