Ray Anthony "Coon" Porta

"Ray Anthony Porta passed away at Ollie Steele Burden nursing home on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the age of 87. He was born to Julian Vincent and Justine Boudreaux Porta in Baton Rouge. Mr. Porta was a graduate of Istrouma High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He was quarterback of the football team and named the most valuable football player in 1946. Mr. Porta was awarded a football scholarship to LSU in 1947 and attended LSU through 1949. He worked at Kaiser Aluminum from 1949 until he entered the United States Army in 1951. He served in Germany and continued to play football until his discharge in 1953. Mr. Porta entered Southeastern Louisiana College in 1953 on a football scholarship. He was selected for the All Gulf States Conference Football and Baseball Teams and was selected Outstanding Athlete. During the 1954/1955 season, Mr. Porta quarterbacked the football team to a 10-0 record. He was selected to the second team on the Associated Press Little All American Team. From 1955 through 1959, Mr. Porta taught civics and coached football and baseball at Istrouma High School. From 1959 through 1961, he coached football at Southeastern Louisiana College. From 1961 through 1963, Mr. Porta returned to Istrouma High School as a guidance counselor and football and baseball coach. From 1963 through 1966, Mr. Porta was a civics teacher, head football coach and athletic director at Baton Rouge High School. While at Baton Rouge High School, the football team had a 32/7 record and won three District Championships as well as the AAA State Football Championship in 1964. Mr. Porta was selected Football Coach of the Year in 1963, 1964, and 1965 by the Louisiana Sports Writers' Association. From 1966 through 1968, Mr. Porta was assistant principal at Baker High School. From 1968 through 1972, he was assistant principal at Istrouma High School. From 1972 until 1976, he supervised health and physical education for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. From 1976 until his retirement in 1987, he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. In 1987, Mr. Porta was inducted into the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Porta was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and was a member of American Legion Post #0038 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3784. During his retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and volleyball with his many friends and watching sports on television. Mr. Porta was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Floyd Coullard, Gracie McNemar, Rose Alice Neese, Bessie Cook and brothers J.V. Porta and Lloyd Porta. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years Jacklyn Bates Porta. Mr. Porta is also survived by his sons Dr. Mark Porta, Sr. and his wife Sonya Lorio Porta and Dr. Scott Porta and his wife Daryl Maxwell Porta. Grandchildren include Dr. Mark Porta, Jr., Dr. Wes Porta and his wife Leigh Hargroder Porta, Christy Porta, Ryan Porta and Megan Porta. Great-grandchildren include Parker Porta and Hollis Porta. Visitation will be from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home. A religious service will be held immediately following visitation, conducted by Rev. Myles Walsh. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Many thanks to the caregivers at Ollie Steele Burden Manor and the Hospice of Baton Rouge and all the medical personnel involved in his care during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the "Ray and Jackie Porta Endowed Scholarship In Athletics" at: SLU, Box 10703, ATTN: Development Foundation, Hammond, LA 70402. Share sympathies at www.rabenhorst.com.