October 21, 1946 – June 4, 2022
“A little bird with a yellow bill, came to sit on my windowsill. I lured him in with crumbs of bread, and then I smashed his widdle head.”
On June 4, 2022, Gary Lynn Porter, finally found a way around the security at memory care and escaped after several failed attempts, returning to his Heavenly Home.
Gary was born on October 21, 1946, to William James Porter Sr. and Una C. Mitchell Porter in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the youngest of 6 children and looked up to his brothers and sister and loved them deeply. He graduated from West High School in 1965. He served 2 years in the U.S. Navy and sailed the world on the USS Valley Forge.
Gary met Jolene Murri while they were both working at the Uptown theater, and they married on March 25, 1966, they lived for 10 months in Long Beach, California while he was stationed there. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. After being honorably discharged from the Navy he began working at Chevron Oil Refinery in North Salt Lake. He retired from there in 2001, and worked for Quest Diagnostics, and West Jordan City to pass the time.
Together he and Jo raised 6 kids in Taylorsville, UT. With three boys and three girls they were just like “The Brady Bunch”, they just needed Alice the maid. Together as a family they spent countless hours driving the western US, with many trips to Yellowstone, Disneyland, and two weeks every summer spent at Christmas Meadows. While the kids played, he spent the whole two weeks working on motorcycles, to keep them running, and chopping down firewood. He loved movies and always wanted to own a theater. He never got that dream, but he created a theater in his home. He was the ultimate movie buff. He loved golfing, fishing, the mountains, and his family. He spent his life serving them. They were everything to him.
He was not so thrilled when his kids started to marry, but he was delighted when the grandkids started to come. He loved to spend time with his 35 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. They were the light of his life, and could always put a smile on his face, even in the last few months.
Gary began suffering from dementia 6 years ago, and though the disease stole him away memory by memory, he never lost his sense of humor or his love for his family. Even when he didn’t recognize Jo, he knew he was married to Jolene Murri, and just wanted to get home to her. He left us with many heartwarming and funny memories to sustain us until we meet again.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife Jolene, his children Michael (Terri), Stacie (Steven) Evans, Brandon (Angela), Angie (John) Stephens, Lorie (Ryan) Benson, Jared (Stacey), 35 Grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 3 great-grandchildren on the way, and his sister Wilma.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws and second parents Ralph and Gwen Murri, his sister Rene, his brothers; Deloy, Ed, Jim, and Jerry Sr. and his grandson Jacob.
Funeral services will be held at the Taylorsville Stake Building, 1950 West 5000 South, on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11:00am with a viewing beginning at 10:00. A viewing will also be held Friday evening at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, from 6 to 8 pm.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Memory Care Center at Truewood Cottonwood Heights for the amazingly kind care he received, and to Rachel for all she went through taking care of him. Also, thank you to Solstice Hospice and Chris and Andres for their love, concern, and friendship toward Gary.
Until we meet again….”What a guy!”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValleyViewFuneral.com for the PORTER family.
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