J. Chester Porter

J. Chester Porter, attorney, banker, entrepreneur, died Monday, May 19, 2014 at the age of 73 at home surrounded by family. Chester is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty; a daughter, Jennifer Porter Griffee (and Keith); a son, Jack (and Lora); and five grandchildren, Jack Chester Porter III, Casey Porter, Peyton Griffee, Isabella Griffee, and Jackson Griffee; a foster daughter, Lee Miller (and Max) and children, Alexandra Miller, Taylor Miller; and three brothers, Leonard Porter, Kenneth Porter, and William G. Porter. He was born in New Palestine, Ind. and raised in Casey County near Brush Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Porter and Livona Morgan Porter; and twin brother, Lester Porter. Chester achieved his dream of becoming a lawyer through hard work and dedication. He earned a bachelor's degree from Campbellsville University, majoring in economics and social studies. He also earned a law doctorate from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. Campbellsville University recognized his accomplishments with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1985 and an Honorary Doctorate in 2003. The University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law named him its Distinguished Alumnus in 2001 and Chester received the highest honor from the U of L Alumni Association when he received the 2003 Alumnus of the Year Award. Chester Porter served on the Board of Trustees of both Campbellsville University and the University of Louisville, where he was appointed by four Democratic and Republican governors for a term of 22 years. He was elected Chairman of the U of L Trustees five times, the longest serving Chairman in the board's history. He also was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Louisville Foundation for seven terms. The scholarships he instituted while leading both these organizations are his legacy to the many deserving students who have changed their lives through education and will for generations to come. His generosity influenced both universities during his leadership and has left an indelible imprint on the future of each. As a Bullitt County lawyer, he served two terms as Bullitt County Attorney, and was city attorney for Mt. Washington and Lebanon Junction. He was founding partner of Porter & Associates, founding Chairman of the Board and general counsel of Porter Bancorp, Inc, a multi-bank holding company and its subsidiaries, Chairman of the Board of The Peoples Bank of Taylorsville; Chairman of the Board of Crossroads Bancorp, and director of Peoples Bank Mt. Washington. His family was his greatest treasure and pride. He was passionate about thoroughbred horse racing and encouraging higher education. He loved being the tobacco farmer from Casey County and the attorney from Bullitt County, both places he loved and considered home. He will be missed sorely by all those who knew him. Funeral services were held May 22 at First Baptist Church of Mt. Washington with burial in the Mount Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the scholarship fund, Betty and Chester Porter Fellowship at the University of Louisville and Campbellsville University, First Baptist Church Building Fund or Sanders-Brown Center for Aging at the University of Kentucky. McFarland-Troutman-Proffitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.