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Pat Porter Obituary
Pat was born in Ector, Texas on Feb 2, 1939. He was the oldest son of Earl Douglas and Bonnie Kelley Porter.
Pat grew up in Ector, attending school in Bonham and graduating from high school in 1957 with a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. During college he participated in R.O.T.C where he earned his private pilot certificate, leading to his lifelong career in aviation. He graduated from OSU in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in business.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Emily Mae Bales, on Jan. 21, 1961. After graduating from OSU, Pat joined the U.S. Army, Transportation Division. A first lieutenant, he flew the DH-4C Caribou and earned the air medal for his service during the Vietnam War.
Pat began his 32-year career with Delta Airlines in 1965, first flying the C46, cargo plane. He advanced rapidly through his career with Delta, flying the L100, DC9, DC8, Boeing 727, 757 and 767. In February 1997 Pat retired as Captain of the MD11. During Pat's career with Delta he flew throughout the United States and Canada as well as overseas to England, Amsterdam, Japan, Korea, Thailand and China.
Pat was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bonham, the Army Otter-Caribou Association, Bonham City Council, the Bonham Industrial Foundation and the Bonham Airport Board. He served as President of the Bonham Water Authority, the Civitan and was Chairman of the local United Way Fund.
Pat is survived by his wife of 53 years, Emily Bales Porter of Bonham; their three sons, Mike Porter and Dana of Bonham, Myles Porter and Lisa of Bonham and Kyle Porter and fiancé, Alice Mitchell of Dallas; four grandchildren, Katy Porter, Sam Porter, Luke Porter and Jack Porter; one brother Lonny Porter and wife Bunnye of Arlington and niece Sarah Lowry and Tim Lowry of Aledo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Douglas Porter and Bonnie Kelley Porter.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2014, at First Baptist Church, 710 N. Center St., Bonham. Interment with military honors will follow at Willow Wild Cemetery, Hwy. 121, Bonham. Visitation is 2 -4 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at Wise Funeral Home, 219 W. Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham. Morgan Malone will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Bobby McCraw, Larry Moss, Talmage Moore, Sam Porter, Ben Lawrence and Ed Gray. Honorary Pallbearers will be Billy Rater, John Jones, Leonard Gerner, Aubrey Conley, Chuck Gardner, Tommy Keeton and Sidney Hale.
Memorials may be made to the Powder Creek Park. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Pat Porter
Bob Measles
January 25, 2019
One of the GREAT Delta Pilots!
Mary Murphy
February 9, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Grew up in Ector and knew all the Porter family.
Peggy Herpeche-Neal
February 6, 2014
~In Remembrance of Pat Kelley Porter ~
Emily and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I remember Emily and Pat as high school sweethearts from my ol' Alma Mater. May God bind up your wounds and leave within your hearts loving memories of the happy times you shared together.
My love and prayers,
Peggy Herpeche Neal
Christian Care Center
Paul West
February 4, 2014
Simply put we shall miss him. None finer than Pat.
Tammy Jeffries
February 4, 2014
Emily, Mike and Myles,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that there I nothing anyone can say to take the pain away. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy Boyer Jeffries and Family
George Jetton
February 3, 2014
Pat flew co-pilot with me on the DC-9 many times. I never had a more enjoyable man to fly with. I loved Pat with his joy of country music. I have never met a better man. Pat I will see you in the 'BY AND BY'
Barbara Reeves
February 3, 2014
Emily,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Pat. Hugs to you and your entire family.
February 3, 2014
Dear Emily,
Jeanne and I are saddened to hear of your loss of Pat. He was a good friend,always cheerful. He will be missed.
Jeanne and Jerry Knapp
February 3, 2014
We did not know Pat, but we have known his son Kyle for many years. I must say if Pat was anything like Kyle, it would have been an honor to know him. Kyle has so many great things to say about his dad and we consider him part of our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family on this day of rest. We wish we could join you all in this day, a day of celebration for a wonderful man. May you be soaring in heaven watching over your family who loves you dearly.
Eric, Melissa, Sydney, Gavin & Evan Unger~
February 3, 2014
I flew often with Pat early on with Delta when he was co-pilot and I was engineer on the DC-8, always fun.
I will miss him and join on his wing one day.
Butch Mallam 767 retired
Carole Bucy
February 2, 2014
Dear Emily and Lonnie, I was was saddened to learn that Pat had died. Although I am now 63 years old, when I think of Pat and Lonnie and Ector, I return to the 1950s. These things always bring back so many memories of my childhood. Where have all the years gone by? As a child, Pat was something of a celebrity and I looked up to him. I can see myself going to Bonnie and Earl's for so many occasions. You may recall that my brother, Lynn Stanford, died in 1991 at Baylor Hospital. I know how much you will miss Pat. Please know that you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers. Susie Stanford
Jeff Norris
February 2, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larry & Reita Rose
February 2, 2014
Emily--We are so sorry to learn about Pat. We go back a long way-Viet Nam, 1963 & we got to fly a Caribou back from Nam. I enjoyed the visit with him in Bonham several years ago. He was a a true friend!! Our sincere sympathy.
Brown Plummer
February 2, 2014
Emily, Mike, Myles and Kyle, I spent many good times in Bonham with Pat and all of you. He was a good friend and will be missed by all of us. GOD bless and keep all the great memories of Pat.
Mary Faith (Stoddard) Hatley
February 2, 2014
Emily,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you face the loss of your beloved Pat. May you find comfort in knowing that he is now without pain and is in the arms of Jesus. God bless all of you and keep you.
Ed Morey
February 2, 2014
Pat was a giant among men. A man I always admired and considered a real friend. I was fortunate to have flown with Pat in the Army and we both went to interview Delta Airlines together in 1965. At the end of out career we both were flying the MD-11 out of Portland. My thoughts and prayers go out to Emily and the boys. He will be missed by all who knew him.
June Vincent
February 2, 2014
Emily, I am so sorry. I always considered you and Pat one of the cutest couples I know. May God give you and your family peace and comfort.
February 2, 2014
Pat was one FINE Person. God be with your family.
Bob Measles
Roger Edson
February 2, 2014
Having worked with Pat and attending pilot ground schools with him, I learned to admire and respect him greatly. We were too close in seniority for us to ever fly together but our careers were very parallel, and the equipment we flew were virtually identical. His warm and humorous personality made all of those who knew him want to be in his company.
Please accept my condolences to his family. We have lost a really great man. Roger Edson
February 1, 2014
Sorry we can't be at the funeral. Your family will be in our prayers.
Joann Durst
Denise Sanderson
Rodney and Terri Gibson
February 1, 2014
Our sincere sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Renee Owens-Hancock
February 1, 2014
Myles & Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Bob Shepherd
February 1, 2014
Pat was the first Airline pilot I ever met; my fiance from Bonham, Heather Hendrix, introduced us. Years later after I returned from VietNam and got hired by Delta Airlines, as fate would have it, I flew my first flight as a DC-8 engineer with Pat as co-pilot! He and Earl Epperson really initiated me with a fast one..great guy!
Bob Shepherd
February 1, 2014
I remember Pat as an outstanding competitor and fellow team mate at OSU. My condolences to his family. Jim Frazier, Cushing, OK
Ronnie Brinlee
February 1, 2014
With deepest sympathy.Lifting you up in prayer Mike,Kyle ,and Myles...Coach Brinlee.
February 1, 2014
Emily, Mike, Myles and Kyle,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this sad time. Brown called today to tell me of Pat's death.
Audrey Plummer, Richardson, TX
February 1, 2014
We send our deepest sympathy.
Frances Mankin-Owens
(Robert Mankin's Mother)
Mike and Janet Weber
February 1, 2014
Dear Emily, Mike and I always liked to visit with Pat. He had a wonderful laid back personality and was wise about many things. After the loss of a spouse good memories become even more important and comforting. We're thinking of all of you and wishing you that comfort.
Billy & Sue Orr
February 1, 2014
Emily and family, We are so sorry for your loss here on earth. No more pain because he is resting in God's arms. Our prayers are with you as you deal with your earthly loss.
February 1, 2014
Dear Emily , Mike, Miles,Kyle , So sorry to hear about PAT ! Jewel & I remember the good times we. Had with. You & PAT, especially the cruise to Mexiico ! THINKING OF YOU AND FAMILY. BOB & JEWEL DEBARDELABEN
Mike McEneny
February 1, 2014
Death leaves a heartache nothing can
heal,Love leaves a memory no one can
steal.
Cheryl Youree
February 1, 2014
To Emily and family, so sorry for your loss. It's never easy to say goodbye, but Pat will always be with you in your stories and hearts. The ideas and values he gave you will remain alive forever.
Tom Wolfrom
February 1, 2014
Dear Emily, Mike, Myles and Kyle,
I flew Caribous with Pat after he returned from Vietnam in the 516th, where he helped prepare us for our tours there. We later shared the bond of flying for Delta for the rest of our careers. Pat was a great pilot, a friend and a mentor to many of us.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
The Wise Funeral Home Family Bonham, TX
February 2, 2014
We present this guestbook to you with deepest compassion and with our sincerest expression of sympathy.
Frank Chew
February 1, 2014
Pat and I flew Caribous at Ft Benning in the early 1960s and both worked for Delta. Pat was strong, beating cancer.
We last saw each other, along with Emily at one of the big Delta Dinners.
Parker McComas
February 1, 2014
When Pat was a Boy Scout in Ector I was a Cub Scout. He was a role model for me. May peace come to all who knew Pat.
Janet Collins
February 1, 2014
I am so sorry to hear about Pat's passing. He will be missed by many.
February 1, 2014
Pat and I flew together on the DC-9 in the late 60's and early 70's. Enjoyed flying with him even though we were flying all-nighters from Chicago to Dallas part of the time. Very sorry for your loss ... he will be missed by all that knew him.
Don Teeple
Jerry & Susan Pointer
January 31, 2014
Emily and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Y'all have so many happy memories of Pat, and he is greatly missed. The love and support of family and friends will see you through the difficult times. May God bless you with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
James &Diann Bridges
January 31, 2014
So hard to express the sadness we feel at Pat's passing. God give you and your family strength and courage.
January 31, 2014
I worked with Pat at Delta Airlines and he was a good man and a lot of fun. He will be missed.
My condolence.
T.P.O'Mahoney
Rick & Teri Sheddy
January 31, 2014
Emily and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rick and Teri Sheddy
Shirley Stewart
January 31, 2014
Sympathy from the Brooks family.
Shirley (Brooks) Stewart,
Larry Brooks Family, Jerry Brooks Family, Stanley Brooks Family, Elaine (Brooks)Lang
Richard and Becky Stevens
January 31, 2014
Our Prayers and Thoughts are with the entire family, during your time of sorrow..
Kathleen Kight
January 31, 2014
Emily, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
James , Blake and Garrett Slawson
January 31, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Melanie Good
January 31, 2014
May God watch over your Family & provide you peace during this rough time. My heart & prayers are with you all. ?
Alllyson Lanzi
January 31, 2014
Dear Mrs Porter and family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. I went to law school with Myles. I remember many fond stories he would tell about his dad and growing up in Bonham. I am so glad we got to see you this summer. Our deepest sympathies and prayers. Sincerely, John and Allyson Lanzi
January 31, 2014
Dearest Porter Family:
Our most heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with you from us.
Carla, Carol, Gwen and Mike Boudreaux
Marty, Christine(TEENIE),Katie, Anna Claire and Caroline Pousson
Jackie & James Wilkinson
January 31, 2014
Emily & family...we are so sorry to hear of Pat's passing. Sending condolences with love.
Lisa & Charlie Avila
January 31, 2014
Our hearts and prayers are with your family.
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