Loren M Porter (1920 - 2014)

Born 16 Oct 1920 in Pomeroy

Ancestors

Died 6 Dec 2014 at age 94 in Lewiston, Idaho, United States

Biography

Obituary

Loren M. Porter passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Lewiston, at the age of 94.

He was the seventh child of parents Lewis A. and Lucy Lynn Porter, and was born Oct. 16, 1920, in Pomeroy. He grew up there and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1939, where he played football, baseball, basketball and sang in operettas.

He married Ella Bartels of Pomeroy on June 21, 1941, in Walla Walla. He worked as a salesman at Emerson Hull for a period of time and then for Al Obenland at Pomeroy Appliance in 1941. After World War II broke out, he and Ella moved to Vancouver, Wash., in 1942, to build ships for the war effort.

Upon returning to Pomeroy in 1946, he rejoined Obenland, who now ran his business as Obenland's Furniture and Appliance Store. He bought into the business on Main Street in 1963, and further bought out the store upon the retirement of Al Obenland five years later. After purchasing the store building in 1974, the business was renamed as Home Mart, and Loren operated it until his own retirement in January 1995.

In his early years, he enjoyed camping, fishing, bird hunting, calling square dances, playing bridge and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Jaycees and played softball. He was later a member of the Elks, became an avid golfer, spent winters in Arizona, enjoyed sharing his homemade sauerkraut and continued to dance well into his retirement years. Ever a personable man who loved a good time, he kept the company of people young and old, and experienced cultural friendships with people from Guam and Japan.

He is survived by his children, Doug Porter and wife Venancia of Pomeroy and Ginger Porter and husband Thomas Brown of Guam. Additionally, He is survived by grandchildren, Iony Bornasal-Lenz, Floraliza Bornasal and Travis Brown; special friend, Ruth Rainey of Lewiston; stepgranddaughter, Barrie B. Donley and husband Stephen J. Donley of Springfield, Va.; three stepgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a true family of friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella, in 1993; and his six siblings, J. Alvin, Celeste, Ravenna, Leona, Myrn and Floyd.

A celebration of Loren's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Pomeroy Senior Center. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Loren's name be sent to Garfield County Hospital, 66 N. Sixth St., Pomeroy, WA 99347.

Please send memories and condolences to the online guest book at www.merchantfuneralhome.com.

Sources