Gene Porter

on Sunday March 3rd, 2019. He was born in Humble, Tx on January 23, 1931 to his parents Ethel

Davis Porter and father, Charles Daniel Porter.

He was always a healthy person and has beat many odds. He had a year long battle with

melanoma in his early thirties and then again with cancer last year that he also came thru with

flying colors. He was fighter, but his recent illness finally wore him down and took its final tole.

He was surrounded by family and friends when he took his last breaths.

My father began work in his very early years . He would begin his day going to school, then

going home to do chores and then going to the drug store, where he delivered on his bicycle

and then later worked as a “soda jerk” at the counter. He is known for his wonderful ice cream

malts. He would then go to bed waking up later in the night to sort and deliver papers for Mr.

Hicks. Mr & Mrs Hicks were second parents to him and helped him throughout his young

years.. He loved to read books and loved his newspaper in the mornings.

He then went to work at San Lorenzo before signing up for the Marines. The Marines were

another ground stone for his life. He often talked about what he learned there and how much

he respected and loved his country. During this time he married Betty Jo Westfall.

He returned to Houston with his bride and went back to work at San Lorenzo where he was the

General Manager for 40 years before retiring, working along side his “brother” Uncle Walter.

He then worked for Massey Brothers, another wholesale florist. From there he opened

Parkwest wholesale florist and then went on to reopen San Lorenzo with his partner Ken

Nishamura. He was a member of Allied Florist and had a very close relationship with all the

employees at San Lorenzo. They were his family and he loved them dearly.

Dad always worked every year at the Christmas tree lot for his friend Ted Coulter and Barbara.

It was one of his favorite times. He then went on to work at ABC Flowers until his late 70’s. He

loved plants and flowers. He had a green thumb and loved working in the yard.

Dad was all about family. He always kept in touch with his family and friends. He would always

send a little note for thanks or just to keep in touch. He had such a large extended family. He

helped raise most of his nieces and nephews. They were like his children. He talked of them

often.

Our father, is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ethel and his sisters, Margaret

Salzman, Mary Jo Kingrea, and Shirley Rice. He is survived by his daughters Teresa Huestis,and

husband Allan, Melisa Shoemake and husband Gary and Vanessa Reich and husband Kelly.

Grandchildren Chadd Huestis and wife Katrina, Ryan Huestis, Kelsie Shoemake, Dylan

Shoemake, Joey Reich, and Erika Reich. Great granddaughter Madilynn Huestis.

And all of the nieces and nephews that he considered his children.

Dad, you will be so missed, you had such a great influence on all of our lives. Love to you in

heaven. Give Mom a kiss for us.