Dr. Walter K. Porter Jr.

Dr. Walter K. Porter, Jr., 90, died December 17, 2014, in Madison. He was a native of Long Beach, Mississippi, and a resident of St. Catherine’s Village in Madison for 20 years. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Agronomy at Mississippi State University and Associate Director Emeritus of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station. He received his B.S. degree at Mississippi State and PhD from the University of Wisconsin. He also received a diploma from the Federal Executive Institute. Dr. Porter was a Professor of Plant Pathology at Louisiana State University, Superintendent of the Delta Branch Experiment Station, Associate Director of MAFES-MSU, and Professor of Agronomy at MSU. A former Rotarian and Lion, he served in numerous scientific organizations. During World War II, Walter K. Porter, Jr. served in the Pacific in Company “M” 155th Infantry, 31st (Dixie) Division. His military awards include the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Pacific Theater Medal with two campaign stars (New Guinea and Southern Philippines), and the Arrowhead (one amphibious landing), and the World War II Victory Medal. In recent years he was active in the 31st Division Association and served as President of both the Jackson Chapter and the Association. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Dr. Porter was a member of First Baptist Church in Madison. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Alma, who died in May of 2011. He is survived by daughters Ellen Bourland and her husband Allen of Dothan, Alabama; Carolyn Porter of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Diane Knarr and her husband Rich of Midlothian, Virginia; and Sherry Jones and her husband Gary of Madison, Mississippi; five grandchildren, Wesley Nelson and husband J of Jackson, Mississippi, Katie Pleasant and husband Adam of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jordan Hays and husband Ross of Charlottesville, Virginia, Tyler Knarr and wife Liz of Maidens, Virginia, and Haley Jones of Madison, Mississippi, and three great-grandchildren, Ella Kate, Walker, and Emma Nelson. A graveside service will held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday, December 22, 2014, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, you are requested to make a donation to The CJ Stewart Foundation, Post Office Box 2913, Madison, MS 39130 (http://www.cjstewart.org), Operation Smile, Inc., 3641 Faculty Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 (www.operationsmile.org), or the charity of your choice.