John Porter

John Stebbins Porter

July 3, 1919 - September 26, 2014

Dad passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95. He was born in Norwich, New York on July 3rd, 1919, and in later years liked to joke that, given his birthdate, he was "One day older than Uncle Sam."

He graduated from Yale University in 1942, then served as a medic with the U.S. Army during WWII. After war's end, he earned a Master's degree in forestry from Syracuse University, then drove his '38 Chevy coupe cross-country to Oregon because "They still had plenty of trees!" He was hired by the State of Oregon Department of Forestry, where he served for 30 years. His first posting was in Eugene, where he rented a room from the Jepsens, a Norwegian couple. One night, they took him to a Sons of Norway lodge dance where he met Venka Pemmer. It was love at first sight, and he and Mom were married for 54 years.

Survivors include cousin Anne Stebbins of Leonia, NJ, children David of Salem, OR (Stephanie, Ana, Preston, and Gabriel), Ellen Porter Donahue of Lake Oswego, OR (Sean, Shannon Harding (Bob, Henry, Lucia, and Jack), Anne, Katherine, and Julia), and Eric Porter of Rio Rancho, NM.

Dad was a wise and gentle man, and his loss is deeply felt by family and by his many friends, including those at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Salem Coin Club, Sons of Norway, and Couple's Club.

Our thanks to Dr. Jay Campbell of the Doctor's Clinic and all of Dad's other fine doctors (and their staffs), the wonderful folks at Quisenberry Pharmacy, First Call Home Health, Salem Hospital Emergency Department, and to the Keizer Fire District paramedics. Heroes walk amongst us. Thanks also to Keizer Funeral Chapel for their compassion and care.

Celebration of Life will be held 1pm Thursday, October 16 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1444 Liberty St. SE, Salem.