George Forbes "Jerry" Porter Jr.

Jerry Porter (George Forbes Porter, Jr.) August 1, 1934 - March 22, 2012 Jerry Porter died at home in the early evening on Thursday, March 22, 2012. He was seventy-seven. Jerry was a man of quiet strength, integrity, broad intelligence and loving kindness. A spiritual seeker and finder for his entire life, Jerry was active in the Santa Fe spiritual community since coming here in 1971. He was a gardener and especially loved planting and caring for trees. He kept a pruning saw in his truck and was known to care for any tree in town that he saw was in need of help. Well versed in and educated in all aspects of art, self-expression through art, art history, art education, Jerry was often exploring his inner nature through making art. He sculpted in wood and clay, worked with pastels, spent time in Mexico as a young man creating environmental earth sculptures. He was also a student of history, particularly interested in the patterns of growth of the city of Santa Fe. Jerry was born George Forbes Porter, Jr. in Hartford Connecticut in 1934 to George Forbes Porter and Marion Walker Corbin. Educated at Choate, Williams College --service in the U.S. Army-- and M.I.T., Jerry's professional life was that of an urban planner. He worked in several areas of the country, finally settling in Santa Fe in 1971 where he worked for the City Of Santa Fe until retiring in 1994. After retirement Jerry lived with his wife in Patzcuaro and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for several years, returning with her to live in Santa Fe for the remainder of his life. He is survived by his partner and wife of 23 years, Mary Miner Porter of Santa Fe, his son, Oskar G. Porter of Santa Fe, his brother and sister-in-law Richard C. and Mary Burke Porter of Ann Arbor Michigan, his nephew and family John Forbes Porter, wife Brooke, their sons Blake and Chase of Belleville, Michigan, his granddaughter Sadie Marie Webb of Santa Fe and a wide and beautiful extended family in Santa Fe and beyond. The family expresses deep and limitless gratitude to all who cared for Jerry during his illness and leading up to his death: Ambercare Hospice and Helen Dumond, the women of Your Song, workers, volunteers, family members--so many people assisted in helping Jerry, his wife and household. We offer much gratitude also to the doctors and health care professionals who afforded Jerry years of extended life through their care and expertise: Drs. Tom Kravitz, Jean Bergeron, Michael Link Tate, Cissy Majebe, Quinn Evans, we thank you. Arrangements are with Berardinelli Family Funeral Service for Wednesday April 11, 2012, at the McGee Family Chapel: silent prayer 1 p.m., funeral service 2 p.m., procession by car to burial site 4 p.m. All are invited to participate in the service and burial and to join together with the family afterwards.