Porter Jefferson Smith, SSGT, U.S. Army (RET), 90, of Lecanto, Florida, passed away on Thurs., Aug. 27, 2020. A native of Lecanto, Porter was born Nov. 13, 1929 to Jeffie and Zadie (Hodge) Smith, one of seven children. Serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Porter joined the Army in 1946 and served his country honorably and proudly for over 20 years, retiring at the rank of staff sergeant in 1967. He began his career as an MP, then transferred to the Infantry and finally served as a Missile Defense Calibration Technician. In 1967, he began working at the Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo missions and in 1973 he moved to Crystal River and worked at the Post Office until his final retirement. Porter loved fishing, woodworking, vintage vehicles, gardening and spending time with his family. His perfect day would be catching lots of fish from his boat with family and friends with him. After a day of fishing he loved fresh fried fish and grits. Porter was a Christian man and enjoyed reading the Bible and was a lifetime member of the VFW and B.A.S.S. fishing organizations. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Virginia Moore (Woodrow), Lecanto; Clarence Smith (Doris), Calimesa, CA; Carl Smith (Artis), Santa Barbara, CA; Robert Smith (Hideko), Medford OR and Catherine Powell (George), Rock Hill, SC. In addition to his sister Viva Sellers (Edward), of Columbia, SC, Porter is survived by his children Michael Smith (Debora), Orlando, FL; John Smith (Kim), Brandon, FL; Victor Smith (Robin), Orlando, FL and Patti Soderlund, Ocala, FL; grandchildren Tanya Solo, Miami, FL; Shannon Haney (Kade), Oahu, HI; Alece Smith, St. Petersburg, FL; Nick Belisle, Ruskin, FL; Jason Smith (Shelley), Greeneville, TN; April Sayer (Justin), Orlando, FL; CJ Soderlund (Lauren), Ocala FL and Patrick Soderlund, Ocala, FL; great grandchildren Shelby and Royce Haney, Oahu, HI; Colton and Kinsley Smith, Greeneville, TN; Lucas Walker, Orlando, FL; Kinsley Sayer, Orlando, FL and Charli Soderlund, Ocala, FL. A Celebration Of Life will take place on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. from Wilder Funeral Home, 4890 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, Florida with Rev. Jonathan Beard officiating. Military Honors will follow rendered by the American Legion Post #155 and the Florida Army National Guard rendering the honors. Porter’s family suggests that if one wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Porter’s name to VFW Lifetime Member # 10609042, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111 or online at www.VFW.org or the American Legion Post #155, P.O. Box 908, Crystal River, FL 34423-0908. Services entrusted to Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida. www.wilderfuneral.com
