John Ellis Porter

JOHN ELLIS PORTER , age 80, and long time resident of Highland, Arkansas, passed away from a long battle with congestive heart failure on February 15, 2018, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He will be missed by his five surviving children: Tammy Porter, Jane Toledo, Janet Porter, Jared Porter, and Dwain Porter, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren and extended family.He is preceded in death by his parents, Cassius and Irma Porter of Monterey Park, California.John was born on August 10, 1937 in Las Vegas, Nevada and on September 7, 1957, married Sondra Eldridge of Los Angeles, California. The couple had six children together, of which two died as young children. He worked as a carpenter, building custom furniture in Los Angeles, when the first child was born. When the twins were announced, they moved to Kansas City, MO where he learned Electronic Data Processing. Using what he learned, he became manager of the Electronic Data Processing Department at Southwest Grease and Oil where he worked for 16 years. Enjoying life began after retirement. John was known for playing cards, telling jokes, frequenting the gambling casinos, going to weekly/monthly auctions, and designing monumental bird houses that he built for many of the residents of Highland and Sharp County, Arkansas. One of his favorite things to do was to build a special piece of furniture for each of his children. These were built in the wood shop he had outside of his house and will be keepsakes for each of his children for years to come. Throughout his life, he was always busy and enjoyed continuing his skill of working with wood to make beautiful things.There will be no visitation or funeral, but a small Celebration of Life will be scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th from 2-4pm at the Rhythm and Brew Coffeehouse, 214 E. Main, in Hardy, Arkansas. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John's life at that time.The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for their loving care and support of their father in his final days.In lieu of flowers, please send donations, in John Porter’s name, to the American Heart Association.Condolences to the family can be sent to Janet Porter at 96 Ridgecrest Drive, Highland, Arkansas 72542.