Ronald J. Porter

Ronald Jim "Ronny" Porter, a retired Haltom City firefighter, passed away Friday, May 25, 2012. Funeral: 3 p.m. Wednesday at Birdville Baptist Church with Dr. Tom Howe officiating. Interment: Birdville Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Bobby Fenimore, Charles Hunter, Mike Pool, Ken Graves, Charlie Langham and Mack Lucas. Honorary pallbearers: Gary Clark, Don Helm, Robert Avara, Ken Jones, Glenn Jackson and Sam Rhodes. Memorials: Birdville Baptist Church Music Dept., 3141 Carson St., Haltom City, Texas 76117; Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Ronny was born Sept. 9, 1941, in Sugar Land to Amos Carlton and Ora Lee "Berry" Porter. The family later moved to the Fort Worth area and Ronny attended half a year in the first grade at Oakhurst Elementary in Fort Worth. At mid-term of his first grade, he and his family moved to Haltom City where Ronny attended all 12 grades in the old red brick building that was Birdville School. He graduated from Birdville High School in 1959 and then attended North Texas State College, after which he joined the United States Navy. In 1970 he applied to the Haltom City Fire Department and that was the beginning of a 31 1/2-year career as a public servant. He retired in 2002 as a lieutenant and was very well respected in the department. His wit will be missed. If you were fortunate enough to be considered a friend of Ronny Porter, you were friends for life. He was blessed to have several good friends at this time of his life whom he had known since the first grade. Ronny enjoyed fishing with his friends and also enjoyed hunting with his sons. His favorite part was preparing for meals, sleeping arrangements, and proper clothing for the hunt. Ronny was a member of Birdville Baptist Church for 63 years and served as a deacon. There is nothing stronger than the love for the Lord, family and the strength of prayer. Thanks to all of our Christian brothers and sisters who have prayed for us during the past few months as Ronny prepared to meet his Heavenly Father. We will miss you, Ronny. Survivors: His wife of 34 years, Betty Porter; son, Jeff Porter and wife, Susan; daughters, Carol White and husband, Robb, Chally Porter; sons, Jason Boone and wife, Tracey, Brad Porter and wife, Sage; grandchildren, Briley White, Jackie "Porter" Leewright, Hillary White, Katy "Porter" O'Kelley, Reagan White, Brooks Porter, Sydney Chapdaliane, Sierra Boone, Allie Chapdalaine, Shelby Boone, Wyatt Porter and Guillain Porter; great-grandchildren, twin girls, Austyn and Aubry Leewright; brother, Mack Porter and wife, Janet; sisters, Leta Altom and husband, Prince, Leslie Detamore and husband, Trent; one nephew; four nieces; one aunt; mother and stepfather of his children, Lois and Sam Rhodes.