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Darrel Randolph Porter

Darrel Porter Obituary

Darrel Randolph Porter, 57, of Charlotte, NC, died at Carolinas Medical Center on Monday, June 24, 2002 as a result of complications from Leukemia. Mr. Porter was born on October 3, 1944 in Atlanta, GA, a son of the late Arthur N. Porter and Hilda Bates Porter.
He graduated from Lake Shore High School in College Park, GA, and from Clayton College in Atlanta, GA. He served as a Captain in the United States Army from 1962 until 1971. He served three years in Germany and one in Vietnam.
In 1974, Mr. Porter opened his first Chick-fil-A restaurant at SouthPark, and in 1997 opened his second store at Woodlawn Road. One of the many ways he showed his love for helping and developing people was through a Chick-fil-A Scholarship Program in which he had awarded over $100,000 in scholarships since 1974.
For almost 30 years, Mr. Porter reached out to those less fortunate in the community. He had a heart for helping people. Many people in the Charlotte area and beyond have benefited from his generosity. One of his greatest joys of his life was traveling the world with his friends.
Mr. Porter is survived by his wife, Tami E. Porter; his two sons, Arthur R. Porter and Jacob B. Porter, both of Charlotte; his sister, Judith P. Boling of Woodstock, GA; his brother, Kenneth A. Porter of Inman, SC; and by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephew. He is also survived by his Chick-fil-A family from around the country which includes five current Chick-fil-A Operators running stores in the Charlotte market and two members of the Chick-fil-A Corporate staff who once were his employees.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, June 27, from 7-8:30 PM at Harry and Bryant "Chapel in the Oaks," 500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 28, 2002 at Central Church of God, 5301 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC with Dr. Henry E. May and Dr. Jeffrey L. Littrell officiating. Interment will be in Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews, NC. Immediately following, the family will gather with friends at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews.
In honor of Mr. Porter, both Chick-fil-A SouthPark and Chick-fil-A E. Woodlawn Road will be closed Friday, June 28, so all employees may attend the funeral services.
Those who wish may send memorials to Holy Angels, 6600 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, NC 28214, or to the Leukemia Society of America, Inc., North Carolina Chapter, 5624 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28212.
Harry and Bryant Company is serving the family of Mr. Porter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer from Jun. 26 to Jun. 27, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Darrel Porter

24 Entries

Nancy McDonough

July 10, 2002

Tami, Arthur, and Jacob-

I was very sorry to hear of Darrel's death. I worked with him for a long time, and I learned something from him every day. He taught me a great deal about working with and for other people. I have thought of him often since leaving Charlotte, and attempted to catch up with him when I returned to visit my Dad and his wife, Micki. You all have my sympathies. I know firsthand how difficult it is to see someone you love suffer, and how great your private pain is when they die. Darrel was the epitomy of kindness to me during the time of my Mother's illness and at the time of her death. I consider myself blessed to have known him and worked with him. And though it has been many years since I saw any of you, the Porter family holds a special place in my heart.

Peace and God Bless,

Nancy

Jacque Farris Creech

July 8, 2002

Tami,

I just heard of Darrel's passing and hope you and your children are doing well. Darrel was a remarkable man of faith, hope and love, a true christian that gave so much of himself. Like many others, Darrel gave me a job at 14, in 1983, and a lifetime worth of ethics and character development. I will never forget my 4 years at Chick-fil-A and the time well spent with you and Darrel- for your chilren were born about the time I left-yikes! God bless you and your family.

John K. Offerdahl

July 1, 2002

Dearest Porters,

Darrel will be missed greatly by all who knew him. Please accept my thoughts and prayers. Our loss leaves a great hole, and no amount of work can fill it.

Yours - John

Katie Zartman

June 30, 2002

Jacob,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. If you need to talk to anyone, please don't hesitate to call me. Your father was a great person and he will be missed. God Bless!!!

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The Zartmans

June 30, 2002

Tami, Arthur, and Jacob,

We are so saddened to hear about Darrel! He touched many lives in the Community and that must bring you great comfort in this very difficult time. We first met Darrel at Oakhurst Elementary when Jacob and Katie where in the same class. Many, many people know him from Chick-fil-A but Tami, Randy and I know how much both of you also did for the schools! May your sorrow soon be replaced by finding joy in remembering the good times, smiling through the tears! Jacob and Arthur, you have so much to be proud of your dad for. He was a wonderful, caring, and generous man who loved you both so very much. I remember sitting with him at some of your basketball games, Jacob and seeing him smile proudly as you moved down the court! May you all find comfort in the family and friends around you!

Russ and Sue May

June 30, 2002

We are deeeplay saddened and hold you in our hearts and prayers.

Anna Mary Mosher

June 27, 2002

What a loss for the cith of Charlotte. I met Darrel only once, but my roommate, Barbara Lowe always talked so highly of him that I felt like he was a friend of mine also. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.

Mr & Mrs Teddy Cobb

June 27, 2002

WE LOVED AND WILL MISS HIM DEEPLY.

Chris and Sherry Lark

June 27, 2002

Tami, Arthur, and Jacob -

We were very saddened to hear of your loss. Your family was very kind to us when we lived in Charlotte. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Gloria Yancey Henderson

June 27, 2002

I'm sorry that distant keeps families away from each other, but as our lives are lived and we go where we are called we don't get to see or spend time with those we love. It would have been good to spend time and get to know each other better. However, being younger I didn't get to spend time with Darrell like I did with my other cousins. He was already on his own when I came around. I do remember that even from the distance he once helped me when I called on him. I just want to offer my prayers for Tami and the boys. I've only had the pleasure of meeting the boys once at a family reunion, but maybe some day we can meet again. Gloria

Jamie & Katherine Young

June 27, 2002

My wife and I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the entire Porter family. Charlotte has suffered a great loss. I feel that my family especially was touched by Darrel. You see, if it wasn't for Darrel Porter, my wife and I would not have met. I met Darrel some years ago when he was a neighbor of my family's. My parents eventually rented his house when he and Tami moved and I still remember helping Dallel move all that stuff from the basement to thier new house. It was then that Darrel gave me my first job at Chick-Fil-A when I was only 14. I had to get a special work permit and was only allowed to work so many hours a week, but I was making money on my own which I was quite proud of. After I had been there about a year, a girl named Kathy started working there. We became good friends then and continued that friendship after she left Chick-Fil-A. We eventually dated and ended up getting married and now have a little girl. I worked for Darrel for over 4 years and gained a wealth of valuable work experience that I'll never forget. My sister and brother both also worked at Chick-Fil-A at SouthPark and I know that he touched thier lives as well. Over the years I'd still think of Darrel and my days at SouthPark especially when I would visit a Chick-Fil-A. It seems like I would always try to compare my visit at another Chick-Fil-A with Darrel's and no one could quite stack up. I had many friends at Chick-Fil-A and have met a few new ones that also knew Darrel. Darrel, know that you have blessed many people through the years and you will be missed.

Jamie & Katherine Young

Amanda Tatum

June 27, 2002

I worked for Darryl for a little over 3 years. He gave me my first "real job", through time Darryl was not only my boss but a friend as well. I became very close with his family, spending time with them all outside of "work". Darryl was one of the most generous people I have ever met, and working for him was a great privalege. He instilled in me the work ethics that have helped me become who I am today. Thank you for everything- you will be missed, and god be with you Tammy, Arthur, and Jacob.

Ken Juneau

June 27, 2002

Darrel hired me in 1974 shortly after taking over the SouthPark store. I worked for him for three years. I remarked to another former employee of his just a few months ago how Darrel taught me more about running an ethical business than anyone before or since. He will be missed.

James Higgins

June 27, 2002

Darrel touched so many lives in so many ways. I worked for him for four years, he bent over backwards for his employees. His family was our family and we all were all like his children. I went to Chick-fil-A headquarters with Darrel, worked the drive through with Arthur, arrived at Woodlawn at 5am with Tami to open the store, and we always had Jacob running around on Satuday mornings. I will never forget my first boss, the home away from home he cultivated, and the ethics he instilled in me. May God be with you...

Aunt Jane, Uncle W. L. and Jackie Yancey

June 26, 2002

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we share your loss.

Eric and Jennifer Young Straumins

June 26, 2002

First as a neighbor on Blueberry Lane and later as a mentor at Chick-Fil-A, Darrel has always been special to my brothers and I. He always treated me like his own daughter. He's done so much for so many people, myself included, that he will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathies to the Porter family.

Lindsey Eve

June 26, 2002

Jake,

I'm really sorry about your Dad. I remember when he used to bring Chick-fil-A to our picnics at pre-school at The Little Church on the Lane. I am sorry for your loss.

Lindsey Eve

Todd & Susan McIntire

June 26, 2002

Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Porter family. As members of the Chick-Fil-A family we have always enjoyed talking with Darrel. He represented the highest standards required to run America's finest family resturant and made every day a great day for Chick-Fil-A. He will be truly missed.

Lonnie Gross

June 26, 2002

Darrel was a great friend and will be missed a lot. My sincere sympathy to all of his family.

Jean Patera-O'Connell

June 26, 2002

Darrel was a wonderful man and employer and I was saddened by the news of his passing. He will most assuredly be missed by many!

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