Ray Lloyd Porter, left this life on Dec. 20, 2008 to be with his Lord. Regardless of the medical conditions, he died of a broken heart after the loss of his wife of 61 years in Oct. Born Jan. 22, 1924 in Gracemont, OK, he and his brother, Calvin, were adopted into the Porter family as youngsters. Ray served in the U. S. Navy as a corpsman in WWII. He married Twila Mae Conley on May 13, 1947, and eventually found his calling as a parts and service manager in the local automobile industry until his retirement in 1986. Baseball was his passion. He loved to teach the game. He may have had an equal, but there never was, nor ever will be, a better baseball coach. Ray also loved to tinker in his hobby shop. From radio controlled airplanes to trains, he enjoyed his toys. He loved flying and logged many hours soaring like a bird in his Cessna. He was a faithful member of South Lindsay Baptist Church, Young at Heart group and often helped with the Mobile Meals program. He recently moved to the Norman Veterans Center.

Ray was also preceded in death by his parents, brother Calvin, and son Darrell Ray Porter.

He is survived by his children: Barbara Emberson, Joy Day, Patricia Lewis, Jimmy, Eddy and Denny Porter, and their spouses 14 grandchildren: Bret, Susan, Terri, Jodi, Chuck, Sheila, Ty, Hayley, Shawn, Dustin, Lindsey, Jeffrey, Ryan and Kyle many great grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews.

Ray would give you the shirt off his back. He loved helping people, especially his family and friends. We will miss you! Friends may view from 4:00-8:00PM on Mon., December 29, 2008 at the funeral home. Services will be held at South Lindsay Baptist Church in OKC, on Tues., December 30 at 10AM, with burial at Resthaven Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Norman Veterans Center.


Published in The Oklahoman on 12/28/2008