Thomas E. Porter

Thomas E. Porter, 74, of Baroda, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 12:00 Noon, on Friday, July 1, 2011, at the Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 W. Napier Ave., in Fairplain, with Rev. LaVerne Davenport officiating. Visitation with the family will be held at the church from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, and again from 11:00 until the time of the service, on Friday. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Benton Harbor Habitat for Humanity, Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, Lakeshore Public High School, Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Tom was born on August 28, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan. He was one of four children born to F. Elbert and Lois Porter. He married Sharron Fletcher and together had three daughters, Nancy, Kathy, and Linda. His family was his first love along with education and church. He earned two master’s degrees from MSU and WMU and taught Math for 39 years at Lakeshore Public High School. Prior to that, Tom taught high school shop and math classes in Rochester, MI. Tom served on the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics and numerous activities associated with the high school – one of them being the announcer for the marching band. Additionally, he served on many church boards, was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ, and loved being in church choirs throughout his life. Tom will be remembered for his smile and for his love of a good joke as well as being a handyman who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was fascinated by nature and loved doing outdoor activities often including biking or playing tennis and golf. Tom is survived by his wife Sharron Fletcher Porter; daughters, Nancy (Clarence) Korendyke of Fort Washington, Maryland, Kathleen (Jack) Dutke of Springfield, Virginia, and Linda (Darrin) Thornton of State College, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Mary and David Korendyke, Edward and Zachary Dutke, and Layla Thornton; and by his siblings, Douglas (Cecelia) Porter of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Mary Ann (Bob) Minich of Midland, Michigan, and Dale (Betty) Porter of Nederland, Colorado. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

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Thomas E. Porter

August 28, 1936 - June 26, 2011