Porter Douglas Boyer Jr.

On May 22, 2022, the St. Simons Island community lost a man of great stature and grace, Porter Douglas Boyer. A man of enduring faith, Porter lived a full life of accomplishment and personal integrity, distinguishing himself in many arenas - business, sports, music, and humanitarian service.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 29, 1927, Porter was reared in a loving home with two siblings - his sister Thelma and his brother Marshall. After the family relocated to Philadelphia in 1934, Porter attended public elementary and junior high schools, matriculating to Dobbins Vocational-Technical High School where he excelled academically. Porter enjoyed relating the story of his short-lived career with the railroad industry. Apparently his course of direction was changed after he experienced a near miss with a locomotive; he was busy eating lunch with a buddy and failed to hear the train approaching.

Subsequently, Porter attended the Philadelphia Mortuary College, receiving a degree in Mortuary Science. He pursued a lifetime career in the mortuary industry, caring for grieving families by managing all aspects of funeral services and transportation. Although Porter maintained a dignified and sensitive presence when doing his job, he nonetheless enjoyed telling funny anecdotes related to his work, such as having his limousine run out of gas, outrageous behavior from some of the mourners, and the abundance of good food at receptions. Simultaneously, Porter worked with the United States Postal Service, managing shipping operations; he also served in both the Navy and the Army from 1946 to 1953. After retiring to St. Simons Island, Porter worked as a role player at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick until age 92.

Porter and his beautiful wife Juanita enjoyed a long and happy marriage, after having met at church when Porter joined the choir Juanita directed. Even after retiring, Porter and Juanita enjoyed singing in churches and community choruses, performing in concerts and services throughout the area. They also served in leadership positions for many years at First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island. Life-long athletes, Porter and Juanita participated in numerous MS bicycle tours, including a 150-mile ride from Cherry Hill to Ocean City, NJ. Porter earned a trophy for the oldest successful competitor.

Porter was preceded in death by his parents Marshall and Mozelle, siblings Thelma and Marshall Jr., and first wife Dorothy. Left to cherish his memory are wife, Juanita, step-son Derrick (Paula) Mashore, beloved grandchildren Max, a Wake Forest alumnus working in IT; his wife Jennifer, a Disney executive; and Grace, a basketball standout who attended Stanford University, and her fiancé Marlon, an IT specialist. Porter also dearly loved his great-grandchildren, Marcus and Maya.

A celebration of life for Porter Douglas Boyer will occur on Friday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island, 792 Ocean Blvd. Donations honoring Porter may be made to the St. Simons Land Trust.

Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandson.com