Robert Reid Porter

Jan 22, 1932 -

Jan 30, 2020

Robert Reid Porter of Niceville, Fla., age 88, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2020, from congestive heart failure.

He was born in Laurel Hill, Fla., on Jan. 22, 1932, to Irene and Henry Porter. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra, of 58 years; daughter, Susie and husband Ed Dove of Niceville; sons, Bo Porter of Austin, Texas, and Butch Porter and fiance Ashley Gilbert of Eagle River, Alaska.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Robert Porter, Aaron Sadler, EJ Dove, Kadi Spruill, Brianna Porter, Autumn Porter, Canyon Porter and Joseph Dove; great-grandchildren, Rylie, Abby, Mya, Myra, Grayson and Jack Reid; brother, Gordon Porter; sister, Jodie Nelson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Many special memories of Reid, aka Dad, Daddy and Papa. What do you say about the liveliest, funniest and loudest person you know going to Heaven? That he lived! He was a man that had been there, done that and sometimes twice. He didn't care what people thought or said or how important they were, if he wanted to sing or play his harmonica, he did; if he wanted to be comfortable, he was; and if you were headed to the kitchen he would get a cup of coffee or milk out of you. He could hide candy like a pro and finish dessert in record time. His specialties included southern sayings you may never hear again, balancing cars on steel drums and adding a toggle switch to every vehicle he worked on. He had a fierce love for his wife Sandra for almost 59 years and would soften with just the sound of her voice. Watching their love story is one of life's greatest blessings that his family will ever have. There is no one like Reid Porter and never will be, if he told you that a bedbug could pull a freight train, don't ask questions … just go build the harness. We all loved him dearly and know that he will have an eternity of entertaining the people in heaven and playing his harmonica for the children because he always enjoyed making other people happy. He loved his guitars and was an entertainer from the bottom of his heart, his last performance being with his brother Gordon Porter at the Panhandle Opry in Mossy Head, Fla. His favorite song was "I'm Movin' On" by Hank Snow and his favorite words to others was "Stay Close to God."

The family would like to extend their appreciation and sincere thanks to Regency Hospice of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

The family regrets the inconvenience that the Memorial previously scheduled at the Chugiak Senior Center on March 25, 2020, has been canceled until further notice.