Paul Porter

Paul Eugene Porter, 70, a resident of Grove, OK passed away on Monday, April 27, 2015 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Mo after a short battle with cancer. Paul was born on September 23, 1944 in Joplin, Missouri to Paul Granville and Grace Edna (Rawlins) Zarse. Mr. Porter retired from Grand Lake Public Works on Monkey Island, OK, where he was employed as a certified water treatment operator for more than 20 years. After retirement he spent several years working part-time for Wal-Mart and Dollar General where he loved making his customers laugh and smile almost as much as he loved bragging on his daughters and grandchildren. Mr. Porter was a loving and dedicated father and grandfather who showered his wife, daughters and grandchildren with love, laughter and praise. Being a father and grandfather was his favorite role in life. A gifted vocalist and musician, he played professionally for most of his life and also enjoyed giving his time to play at countless charity and fundraising events. He played everything from country to old rock and roll, but Elvis and music from the 50’s were his favorite genre. He taught himself how to play guitar as a young child and was in his 60’s when he learned to play the keyboard. In addition to his favorite pastimes which were his grandchildren followed by his music, Mr. Porter was a history and Civil War buff. He always had some type of building project going on whether working on his house or his daughters' homes. He was a Christian who enjoyed sharing scripture or words of encouragement with others. Through his love of Christ, he brought his family into knowing and accepting Jesus as their personal friend and savior. After one of his grandchildren suffered a vicious attack by a student while at school, Mr. Porter approached the school board with an idea to start a “Grandpa's Brigade”. His vision was to bring together other grandparents to be present at school to discourage bullying, to protect children in case of disaster and to be mentors and role models to the children. This led him to join Grove Volunteers In Police Service where he was then able to see his dream come to fruition as the VIPS began an internal school patrol program to increase safety in our schools. He loved being a part of the VIPS team and enjoyed helping with various community events but was most passionate about assisting with school patrols. Mr. Porter was preceded in passing by his parents Paul and Grace, his sisters Ella Mae Moseley, Bessie Norton, Bonnie Lou Simmons, Patsy Fay Porter and Patricia Eileen Porter and his beloved granddaughter Ashley Nichole Porter. Survivors include his wife Pamela Ann (Sprowls) Porter of the home, his children Carol Hunsperger and her husband Eric of Grove, Kristi Wallace and her husband Charlie of Grove, Stacy Tucker and her husband David, Donna North, and Tina Porter and partner Kim Kirkpatrick all of Joplin. Mo. His beloved grandchildren Ayden Hunsperger and Cale Hunsperger, Macey Middleton, Andrew Wallace and Ethan Wallace of Grove, Brandon Porter, Dusti Ricker, Garret Ricker, Kamren Tucker, Johnathon North, Megan Arnold, Amanda Porter, Tia Porter, Andrew Harthan, Zachary Harthan, Shanna Kirkpatrick, Jacob Kirkpatrick all of Joplin, Mo., 12 great-grandchildren and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his two brothers, Joe Porter and John Porter and wife Norma Jean of Joplin, Mo. Services are 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Grove with Reverend Walter Sizemore officiating. Services have been placed in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Volunteers In Police Service group or to the Grove Education Foundation For Excellence. These donations can be made in care of the funeral home at PO Box 695, Fairland, Oklahoma 74343 Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Porter’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Paul Porter

September 23, 1944 - April 27, 2015