George Darwin Porter

George Darwin Porter passed away on January 2, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has resided since 2018. He was formerly a resident of Naperville, Illinois (34 years); Warren, Ohio (13 years); and originally from Dayton, Pennsylvania.

Born on July 25, 1937, to Melvin Clair Porter and Mary Gladys (Thomas) Porter he was the youngest of six children.

From humble beginnings, George grew up on a farm, worked at an A&P grocery store stocking shelves and as a pin setter at a bowling alley. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1955 and then attended Robert Morris University School in Pittsburgh, receiving an Accountancy & Business Administration diploma. Next, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, honorably serving three years. He was trained in the Data Processing Unit and served as Assistant Supervisor of the Transceiver Section where he received a Certificate of Achievement for his performance and was promoted to Sergeant. He spent time in Fort Knox (Kentucky), Fort Benjamin Harrison (Indiana), the United States Army Europe in Heidelberg (Germany) and later at the Presidio of San Francisco (California) before being honorably discharged. He received a Certificate of Achievement in Marksman Rifle and Carbine and a Good Conduct Medal.

Professional Career

George was a designated Certified Computing Professional (C.C.P.) by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals. A career in data processing, computer operations, programming and department management ensued, working for companies that included Mellon Bank, Magnetics and Standard Transformer. His next role was in sales where he excelled, offering products from Pryor Corporation that included 80-column cards, magnetic tape, computer ribbons and supplies.

In 1981, the Porters relocated to Naperville, Illinois, when George was promoted to Vice President of Sales for Pryor Corp. There he commuted to the company’s office within the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago. He was subsequently named Pryor’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

George later obtained an Insurance Producer’s License from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance when he worked for a short time with Aflac. He was also president of a software development company and later owned and operated a Sears dealer store in Plymouth, Indiana.

Public Service & Community Advocacy

In the late 1980s/early 1990s, George’s career transitioned to public service, beginning with a four-year term as a Naperville Township Trustee. The knowledge he obtained in that role was foundational to running for and being elected to serve as the Supervisor of Naperville Township in 1993. He was re-elected in 1997, 2001 and 2005, serving four consecutive terms.

As Township Supervisor, George played a key role in regional planning as a member of the Implementation Team for the DuPage Area Transit Plan and as a contributor to the PACE Suburban Bus Service Citizens Advisory Board. He was a charter member and served as Chairman of the Inter-Agency Paratransit Coordinating Council. He was recognized in 2003 by the DuPage Center for Independent Living for outstanding commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act and he received the “Ramp-Arts” Award from the City of Naperville Mayor's Advisory Commission on Persons With Disabilities.

Additional Accomplishments

In 2004, the National Association of Towns and Townships presented George with the Grassroots Government Leadership Award at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes one individual in the country each year, and he was the only person from Illinois to have received the award.

George was also a recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.

Upon his retirement in 2009, he was recognized for an extensive career in public service by the House of Representatives of the 96th General Assembly of the State of Illinois.

Faith, Family, Country & Community

George was proud to be a child of God and proud to be an American. He and his wife of 62.5 years, Charlotte, instilled in their four children the importance of faith in one’s life as well as a love of country and reverence for our veterans. Both spoke often of their pride for seven brothers/brothers-in-law who served during World War II. George and Charlotte were proud to contribute hand-held flags honoring their brothers/brothers-in-law to guests who attended a simulcast broadcast of the World War II Memorial dedication event that two of their children were part of in Nashville on May 29, 2004.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Ferkan) Porter; his children, George Porter, II, Faye Porter (Chip McGee), Joseph Porter (Shane Gibbons), and David Porter. George was affectionately known as PapPap to four granddaughters: Sophia, Olivia, Ava and Lillian Porter. He was a respected and cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews whom he treasured within both his and Charlotte’s families.

In later years, George looked forward to the reunion that awaited him in heaven as he longed to meet his maker and be reunited with loved ones. He is preceded in death by his parents Melvin Clair Porter (1962) and Mary Gladys (Thomas) Porter (1974); brothers Myron Porter, Sr. (2016) and Leland “Pete” Porter (2018); sisters Nora Margaret Reefer (2018), Sarah Grinder (2019) and Wilma Clark (2010); precious granddaughter, Olivia Louise Porter (2022); and many extended family members, friends and colleagues.

George was an active member of church congregations wherever he lived, and while in Naperville, Illinois, active in St. James and Faith Lutheran Churches; the American Legion Naperville Post 43; Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873; the Naperville Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1290; and the Exchange Club of Naperville. He was also a part of the Naperville Sportsman’s Club and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

He was appointed to serve on the Citizens Advisory Board of Pace Suburban Bus Service, a member of the Township Officials of Illinois, the Board of Directors of Township Supervisors of Illinois and was Treasurer of the DuPage County Township Supervisors Association. George also served on the Fox Valley/Southwest DuPage Initiative of Pace Suburban Bus Service and was a member of the Implementation Team (representing townships) for the DuPage Area Transit Plan through the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. He was active in local politics through the Naperville Township Republican Organization for more than 25 years, serving as a committeeman and in officer roles that included secretary (two years), vice chairman (two years) and chairman (six years).

George was a Mason for 56 years, initiated, passed and raised initially through the Carroll F. Clapp Lodge No. 655 (Warren, Ohio) in 1969, later through the Euclid Lodge No. 65 (Naperville, Illinois), and most recently, through affiliation with the Corinthian Lodge No. 8 (Nashville, Tennessee). He was honored to receive his lifetime Masonic membership card and certificate in 2019. He was also affiliated in Ohio and Illinois with the Shiners and the Scottish Rite.

In earlier years, he enjoyed some legendary deer hunting trips with Charlotte’s brothers, nephews on both sides of the family and his sons. When not wearing red, white and blue, he was known to don the black and gold as a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was especially proud that his children inherited this love as well.

Visitation & Service

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 4PM to 7PM on Friday, January 9 at Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home, 429 Donelson Pike, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214. Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, from 10:30AM to 12:00PM immediately followed by a celebration of life with military honors and a Masonic service at the funeral home. Upon cremation and after Charlotte’s passing, final interment will be at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, with remaining ashes spread at George’s boyhood home and at his parents’ gravesite in Pennsylvania. Those desiring to make a contribution in George’s memory may consider the Shriners Childrens Hospital or a veterans’ organization of their choosing.