Porter Farrell II, a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, died in the early morning of February 10, 2021. Porter was born in Midland, Texas on March 27, 1955 to Margaret Rosson Farrell and George James Farrell. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1973 and The University of Texas at Austin in 1977, where he earned undergraduate degrees in journalism and business. He later received a graduate degree in business from The University of Houston in 1982.
He referred to Midland as “one of the greatest places in the world to grow up” and spoke fondly of his idyllic childhood in a then quiet West Texas town. His formative years in Midland instilled in him the values he would carry with him for the rest of his life: deep love for family and friends, love of the outdoors, and pride in the great state of Texas.
After college, Porter moved to Houston to begin his career in the oil business and later investment banking. In Houston he enjoyed being a contributor to the Houston Chronicle, a coach for the West U Little League team, and a close friend to many. Fort Worth pulled him away in 1995 when he married Margaret Penn Tennison and became a stepfather to her three girls, Margo, Courtney, and Callie, whom he adored. They brought him the greatest happiness of his life. He often laughed about the time a restaurant hostess marked their party on the waiting list as “bald guy, four blondes.” He was overjoyed with the addition of three wonderful sons-in-law and he was most excited to welcome five grandchildren. He called them “the world’s cutest kids” and with pure love in their hearts they called him “Guv.”
Porter was a passionate participant in the numerous committees and boards on which he served. He remained an involved alumnus of Episcopal High School by serving on the Board of Trustees and in several leadership roles for the school. Among his many other affiliations, he was a steadfast supporter of The University of Texas at Austin, a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta “Fiji” fraternity, a member of the Texas Exes Alumni Association, and a devoted Longhorn football fan. He was an active member of The Blog Group where he enjoyed all their exchanges. In Fort Worth Porter was a member of the Steeplechase Club. Porter was also a faithful Episcopalian and member of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, ECUSA, of Fort Worth.
Porter was a man with many talents and areas of knowledge. He was funny, witty, gregarious, and he never met a stranger. He was a legendary storyteller, a master at delivering jokes, and a self-proclaimed bourbon aficionado who made a mean Old Fashioned. He was a voracious reader with a dense library of history and literature, and a talented writer. At age 60, Porter fulfilled his lifelong dream of filmmaking when he wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning film “Windsor.” Creating “Windsor” was one of Porter’s proudest accomplishments. Through his independent film production company, Turnpike Pictures, Porter had other projects in the works and many more stories to tell.
Porter was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and George Farrell, his sister, Margo, and his close cousin Mary Mulherin. He is survived by his stepdaughters, Margo Bush (Curtis), Courtney McGrail (Kevin), and Callie Jennings (George), all of Fort Worth; his beloved grandchildren Lupton, Penn, and Ford Bush, and George and Lottie Jennings; cousin, Cynthia Speetjens of Jackson, Mississippi, who was like a sister to him; extended family members in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee; and countless friends.
Pallbearers are Bo Baskin, Sam Bowen, Glenn Darden, Lance Farris, Bill Fowler, Ed Frank, Steve Gunn, Barc Hunter, Ed Lange, Ted Lange, Bradley Lummis, David Miclette, Jack Swallow, Paul Teten, George Van Meter, and Tom Ward.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Fairview Cemetery in Midland, Texas.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Fort Worth.
The family asks that memorials be directed to the George J. and Margaret R. Farrell Scholarship Fund at Trinity School of Midland; Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia; and Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, ECUSA, of Fort Worth.
The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the medical team at Harris Methodist Southwest for their tireless care. Their hearts go out to all those who continue to be affected by COVID-19.
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