Philip Laval Porter

Philip Laval Porter, 77, husband of Karen Leslie Linhart of Atlanta passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Born July 24, 1939, in Bessemer, Alabama he was the son of the late Ernest Laval Porter and Alma Eunice Wallace.

Phil attended Auburn University and earned a Bachelor of Architecture in 1962. In 1963, after fulfilling his Army Reserve commitment, he started his career as an architect in Atlanta that spanned over 40 years. He worked at several of the leading Atlanta architectural firms until he opened his own firm in 1972. His work included both commercial and residential projects. He was published in both national and international magazines and journals. Architectural Record: Record Homes, 1978; Process Architecture; Atlanta Magazine; Southern Homes and, Southern Living. He received multiple Urban Design Commission Awards and Outstanding Achievement in Masonry Design.

After retiring Phil became a potter, working in the pottery studio at Chastain Arts Center. He said many times that “I’ve never met a potter I didn’t like.”

Phil had a lifelong love, interest and appreciation of the arts and music that ranged from classical to modern to outsider art.

Phil and Karen loved to travel with some of their favorite destinations being South America, Egypt, London, Spain, France, and New York City.

Phil is survived by his son Grant Laval Porter and his wife Heather Ware Porter of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his brother Richard Wallace Porter, his wife Cherlye Porter of Huntsville, Alabama, two nieces and one nephew and sister-in-law Lorna Beth Linhart of Atlanta, Georgia. He was predeceased by his first wife Carol Ann Ripley.

In celebration of Phil’s life, a memorial service will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Kellet Chapel, 3434 Roswell Road, Atlanta, Georgia, on November 1, 2016, at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to the American Heart Association or the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Arrangements under the direction of Sandy Springs Chapel, Sandy Springs, GA.