Harold W. Porter

Harold Wright Porter was born June 29, 1916, in Lamesa, Texas to Gaytha “Dan-Dan” Porter and Agnes Wright. He was their only son, but brother to six sisters: Lesta Marybeth Glasco, Dorotha Lois Bullard, Wilma Fay Wilson, Betty Jane Driver, Gaytha Ann “Boots” Woodall, Patricia Jane Thompson, all who preceded him in death. Harold served in WWII in the First Armored Division as a tank and equipment mechanic during the African and Italian invasions. After the war, he worked as a mechanic on office machines and almost anything that needed fixing. He concluded his working years retiring from ADEC and Newberg Transfer. Harold married Bonnie Jean Runyon, August 9, 1947 and was father to four children: Bonnie Jean (Sue) Richardson of Carlton, Oregon, Daniel Vernon Porter of Marietta, Georgia, Gaytha Lynn Porter of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Kari Diane Brown of Portland, Oregon. He has fourteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Harold was a volunteer for Providence Health Systems, working with the Lifeline Program, and a volunteer at the Newberg Thrift Shop for several years. He also served as a volunteer with the Navajo Indians at the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajos. He served as a volunteer at the Sunshine Rescue Mission in Flagstaff and the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, as well as numerous retirement centers. Harold enjoyed the role of Santa, helping the Dundee Fire Department raise money for their Toy & Joy Program. He was known his whole life for his teasing. He gave out pens with his name and address, saying, “Now you know where to send your check.” On Friday, May 7, 2010, Harold Wright Porter went to be with his Lord when he was ninety-three years, ten months and eight days of age. He was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie Jean in 1994. Burial with full military honors will precede the memorial service Friday, May 14, at Newberg Friends Cemetery, with Pastor Lee Shafer officiating. The procession will leave the Attrell’s Newberg Funeral Chapel at 9:30 a.m. with the Dundee Fire Department escorting the casket in the 1936 fire truck that “Santa” Harold sat on for picture taking for the Dundee Toy & Joy Program. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Dayton Pioneer Evangelical Church, with Pastor Steve Hopper officiating. Chapel Viewing and Visitation hours are Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.attrells.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dundee Fire Department Toy & Joy program c/o Attrell’s Newberg Funeral Chapel, 207 Villa Rd., Newberg, OR 97132.

Harold W. Porter

June 29, 1916 - May 7, 2010