Robert Mark Porta

Robert Mark Porta, 69 of Fort Smith, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021. He was born on May 7, 1951 in Fort Smith to Roger and Mary Porta. Mark was a graduate of St. Anne’s High School and he was of the Catholic faith. He grew up working at the “famous” Porta’s Bar-B-Q in Fort Smith, it was his first job. He worked as a registered nurse for 39 years before retiring.

He met the love of his life Janie, they were married on June 30th, 1972. He served in the Army National Guard and was a Gulf War veteran, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mark loved sports; he was an avid Razorback fan, he loved refereeing Junior High and High School football and coaching girl’s softball teams.

Funeral Service will be 12:30 P.M. Thursday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, Interment will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Janie, of the home; two daughters, Becky (Porta) Jenkin and her husband B.J. of St. Louis and Anne-Marie Porta of Fort Smith; a son, Gabe Porta and his wife Betsy Schulte Porta of Rogers; two sisters, Tanya (Porta) Neumeier of Birmingham, AL and Ellen (Porta) Heffington and her husband Brian, of Edmund, OK; a brother, Roger “Butch” Porta of Malvern; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Caleb and Samuel Porta of Rogers, Malia and Landon Jenkin of St. Louis, Zayden Rogers of Hackett and Gavin Porta of the home.

Pallbearers will be Gabe, Andrew and Caleb Porta, B.J., Malia and Landon Jenkin. Honorary pallbearers will be Gavin and Samuel Porta.

Public viewing will be from 12 noon to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, visitation will be from 11:30 P.M. to 12:30 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the River Valley Food Bank, 1617 Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, or go to www.rvfoodbank.org