Horace Porter

Horace Lee Porter, age 91, passed away on February 16, 2016 in Arlington, Texas at his home. He was born in Medina, Texas to Horace Lee Porter and Hallie Mae Keese Porter on November 25, 1924. He accepted Jesus Christ as a child and was a member of First Baptist Church, Medina, TX. He married Mary Josephine Mayfield on April 7, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. \r\n\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lela Mae Whisenhunt, and brother, Robert Erwin Porter. \r\n\r\nHe is survived by his wife Mary Jo Porter, his son Lee Porter and Lee's wife Linda, his daughter Jenifer George and her husband Sebastian, grandson Travis Porter and his wife Angela, grandsons Kevin Porter and Caleb George, granddaughters Erin Porter and Loralyn George, great granddaughter Vada Porter and great grandson Zachary Porter, and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.\r\n\r\nHe graduated from Medina High School in 1943, immediately joined the Army Air Corp, and began training as a pilot cadet. A year after marrying Mary Jo, he left for Guam and was in the Philippines when it was liberated from Japan at the end of World War II. He returned to the US ten months later. After being discharged from the Army Air Corp in 1947, he and his young bride attended Southwest Texas State Teacher's College in San Marcos and he received his Bachelor's Degree within 3 years. After graduating, they both taught school in Leming for one year. H.L. was recalled to active duty into what was now the US Air Force in 1951 due to the Korean Conflict. He remained in the Air Force and flew B-29, B-47, and B-52 bombers, as well as various other aircraft. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1967.\r\n\r\nIn 1969 he moved to Kerrville, Texas to be close to family where he began teaching history, government, and social studies at Tivy High School. He initiated and taught an aerospace class at Tivy, which served as ground school for many upcoming young pilots. After leaving his teaching job some years later, he returned to flight instruction and flew charter and air ambulance flights. One of his flight students was his son, Lee, who also made flying his career and is now in his 40th year as a professional pilot. H.L. had several other jobs until he retired once again in the late 1980s, to more fully enjoy the benefits of being a grandfather.\r\n\r\nA memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 24th, at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Bandera, with Brother Allie Balko of First Baptist Church Medina officiating.