J. Porter Gibson

J. Porter Gibson
Mr. Gibson,73, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at Carolinas Medical Center. A native Charlottean, Porter was born July 28, 1931 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Fritz D. Gibson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Ann 'Sis' McLemore Gibson and son-in-law, Rick Waldrep.
Mr. Gibson grew up on East Blvd. in Dilworth, and attended Charlotte schools. He graduated high school from Carlisle Military Academy. He also attended Clemson University and Belmont Abbey College. Porter combined his natural gift for art and drawing with his talent as an amateur golfer into a lifetime career of land planning and golf course architecture. He designed and built golf courses up and down the East Coast. A few of his local courses include Deer Track Plantation at Myrtle Beach, Santee National in Santee, SC, Woodbridge Golf Course in Shelby, NC, Westport Golf Course in Denver, NC and Mallard Head Golf Course in Mooresville, NC.
Porter had many outside interests. Over his lifetime, he was involved in stock car racing, boating, motorcycling and earned his pilot's license. In younger years, he played college football, golf and tennis. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, a passion he shared with his son Dan and grandson Mark. Porter was actively involved in The Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer leader during his son's years of participation. Mr. Gibson also participated in several mission trips to Mexico with members of his church at Selwyn. It should also be noted that Porter was a master at the art of NC-style barbeque and was legendary for his neighborhood pig-pickings.
Whether Porter was buying roller skates for all of the neighborhood kids or bringing sub sandwiches to dozens of Young Life Bike Challenge riders on the Blue Ridge Parkway, he was generous beyond compare. His giving spirit was such that people naturally gravitated to him for advice and counsel. Porter Gibson lived life large. He lived it on his terms, in his own way, and to quote lyrics from his favorite 'Eagles' song, Porter 'Took it to the Limit.'
Mr. Gibson is survived by his brother, Fritz Gibson of Blowing Rock, NC and sister, Faith Groome of Sanford, NC. He is also survived by his three children, Anita Humphries and husband, John, Gay Waldrep, and Dan Gibson, and grandchildren, Jenny, Sarah and Kat Humphries, Mark and Amy Waldrep, all of Charlotte. He also had a niece and seven nephews. Mr. Gibson leaves behind a large legacy of friends that were so dear to him in the past few years. The family wishes to thank all of those who visited him so regularly and shared your love with him.
A service to celebrate the life of Porter Gibson will be held at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 11, at 2 PM, officiated by Dr. Rush Otey. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials in Porter's memory may be made to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1428-B Orchard Lake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28270.