Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
PATRICK PORTER Obituary
Patrick (Pat) R. Porter
Our beloved Pat, age 53 of Albuquerque, died Thursday, July 26th. Pat, his treasured son Connor (15), and great friend Connor Mantsch died in an airplane accident in Sedona, Arizona.
Pat was a two-time U.S. Olympic Team Member (1984, 1988) in the 10,000 meters, a world record holder, twelve-time U.S. National Champion, won a record-setting eight consecutive USA Track & Field Senior Men's Cross Country National titles, and he represented the U.S. at the World Cross Country Championships from 1982-1989. In 1998 he played Finnish distance runner Lasse Virén in the movie Without Limits, a biographical film about American distance legend Steve Prefontaine.
He competed for Athletics West, Nike, Mizuno and Pearl Izumi throughout his running career. He was a top salesman for Centex Homes. He graduated from Adams State College in 1982, was a pilot, NRA member, and attended Calvary of Albuquerque.
But more important than all of his amazing achievements, was how he could make others laugh, touched lives, gave to others, and loved his family. He was our strength, our rock, our protector and the one who made us laugh from morning until bedtime. His commitment and dedication to those he loved and what he believed in was visible throughout his life. His impact on both the running and airplane community reaches around the world. We are comforted knowing that because of Pat's personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will see him again in heaven one day. We will miss him terribly and our lives and hearts have a huge hole.
Pat is survived by his wife of twenty years and 1988 U.S. Olympian, Trish King Porter; daughter, Shannon Porter; parents, Jack and Ruth Porter from Cedar Edge, Colorado; and twin sister, Patricia Porter Van Inwagen (Chris) from Evergreen, Colorado.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 19, 2012, at Calvary of Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Albuquerque Academy @ www.aa.edu/giving or Operation Heal Our Patriots (OHOP) with checks made out to Samaritan's Purse with "OHOP in memory of Pat & Connor Porter" in the memo line. Sent to P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000. Please visit our online guestbook for Patrick Porter at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NM 505-823-9400
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for PATRICK PORTER
Marty Munoz
August 28, 2012
I remember our snowbal fights with Pat at ASU. Great runner, maybe even a better snowball thrower. My prayers to Pat and his loving family.
Liz Norris
August 26, 2012
I met Pat years ago while competing in Colorado Springs area races. There are a lot of people that you meet and they are just people you see at races. With Pat it became more than that and were friends. He also was friends with my brother who has Asperger's syndrome. When I told my brother that Pat died he quickly remembers a series of things that we did involving Pat and noted how much younger Pat was than he is. I remember Pat encouraging me in races but I remember other times when we laughed about things until our stomachs hurt and just had fun together. We would be having fun and laugh about something and then laugh some more. It was a joy to be with him. My brother was part of that too. Now memories of Pat will live with my brother and I always but he will also be with me whenever I am laughing until my stomach hurts and can't stop or am running a race hard and won't stop. I shall miss you friend.
Susan Heckathorn
August 16, 2012
Pat and I had gone to ASC together, he was the funniest guy running on the street, usually from the Sand Dunes. He always had a big smile and a joke. I have pictures when he won one of All American awards at ASC, I will dig to find them, he was so excited, he wanted everyone there to share his hard work and dedication. God will give you strength to get through this, just when you think you can't - you will. My husband Steve and I are very very sorry for such losses in your lives - we will surely pray for you. He was instrumental in everything he did - Pat believed in going for it! He will surely be missed, God bless you Trish and Shannon, our prayers and thoughts also to the Mantsch family also. The boys went with each other, they were not alone. God bless you. Steve and Susan Heckathorn
Owen McGarrell
August 16, 2012
A great runner and great Olympian who was majestic to watch competing. I saw an interview on some American news channel just before the LA Olympics and he struck me as a wonderful ambassador for American runners and I followed his career since.
A thoroughly nice guy who will be mised worldwide. My prayers are with his family.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Sherry D'Amato-Fowler
August 15, 2012
Pat and Connor will be missed! Pat was a great friend. I remember him calling me everytime he saw one of my real estate signs and faking a foreign accent asking for information on the property, I'd always say "Pat is that you?" and we'd have a good laugh! Trish,we will continue praying for you and your precious daughter. I know God will give you the strength to get through this.
Maren Schreiber
August 12, 2012
Dear Patricia, Chris and Kyla,
May your faith bring you comfort and your family bring
you love. The Evergreen
special needs community heart goes out to your family and to
the Porter family for your loss.
You are in our thoughts, please let us know if you need any help with Kyla or if we can do anything for the your family or the Porters.
ken mora
August 11, 2012
trish,may the lord give you strength and the love of all who know you,be with you and your family.never forgeting you and pat all these years.ken mora
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in PATRICK PORTER's name
Memorial Events
for PATRICK PORTER
People and places connected with PATRICK
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support PATRICK's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor PATRICK PORTER's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
