Leon Porter

Leon Porter, age 88, of Midland, passed away Friday, July 29, 2011. Leon was born in Graham, Texas on June 22, 1923 to Lewis and Hettie Porter.

Leon grew up in Graham and joined the US Marine Corps at age 20 serving during WW II in the south Pacific and was present at the Japanese surrender on October 25, 1945. After an honorable discharge he returned to Graham purchased and operated a Magnolia service station. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Jo Stevens in 1948. Shortly afterwards, he began working for Prince Brothers Drilling Company as a driller in West Texas, Colorado and Kansas before settling in Odessa, Texas in 1958 working as a foreman in the metal building construction business, retiring in 1994 after 35 years.

He was ordained deacon at Belmont Baptist Church in 1961 and served there and at Crescent Park Baptist Church where he and Jo continued as members. He loved his church and after retirement did much volunteer work there. His hobbies were building and fixing things, always busy at work or around the family home. He also enjoyed taking the children and grandchildren on camping and sightseeing trips through the years in their campers or motor home. He was an outstanding domino player and frequently won the 42 Club and Birthday Group championships.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Richard Porter and Frank Porter, and two sisters Almeta Alexander and Geraldine Gray. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, five children, Emerson and Cindy Porter of Allen, TX, Janice and Bob Scott of Odessa, TX, Judy and Joe Miller of Midland, TX, Buck Porter of Odessa, TX and John and Cindy Porter of McKinney, TX. He had 8 grandchildren, Marcy Blake, Holly Phillips, Nathan Scott, Natalee Irwin, Nicole Scott, Jody Gully, Joshua Miller, Zane Porter and Cason Porter and 4 greatgrandchildren, Lincoln and Sutton Blake, Grace and Porter Scott, several nieces and nephews including a special niece Shirley West.

Visitation will be all day Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Monday, August 1, 2011 at Crescent Park Baptist Church with Barry Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave. Odessa, Texas 79763 or Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E. University Odessa, Texas 79762.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Sunday, July 31, 2011
come and go all day

Service

Memorial Service

Crescent Park Baptist Church
3002 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, August 1, 2011
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762