Herbert Endymion Porter

He was born Feb. 4, 1935 to Harry and Lillian Porter in Hansboro, N.D.

He grew up on the family farm, learning to tend crops, raise animals, hunt, fish and live off the land. Immediately following his graduation from Rolla High School, Herb enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He served a tour in Korea.

He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Jackson, on Sept. 18, 1954.

When his time in the Army ended, Herb joined the North Dakota Air National Guard as a mechanic while simultaneously earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Dakota in Fargo. About that time, he was selected to enter pilot training in the U.S. Air Force.

He went on to work at NASA in Houston, Texas from 1964-1967. While there, he served in the Texas Air National Guard.

Herb became a pilot for American Airlines in 1967 and moved his family to Crystal Lake, Ill., where they lived for 23 years. He spent his career traveling the country, and eventually the world, as he rose to the rank of captain and flew routes to South America and Europe.

After his retirement in 1995, Herb and Shirley split their time between their home in Florida and traveling in their RV to visit their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends throughout the country. They attended every high school graduation ceremony for their 13 grandchildren. For a time, they owned a small farm in Clearbrook, Minn., where they enjoyed several summers filled with family gatherings and good times.

Herb had many interests and hobbies - golf, fishing, boating - which he shared with his children, grandchildren and friends. He created a lifetime of memories and experiences with all of his family members, and they will miss him greatly.

He leaves behind Shirley, his wife of 66 years; four children, Ann ( Randy) Smith, of Lakewood, Colo.; Jeffrey (Theresa) Porter, of Clearbrook, Minn.; Philip (Tanya) Porter, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Stephanie (Geoff) Price, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; 13 grandchildren, Jared, Austin, Jackson, Matthew and Mark Porter; Lindsay, Katie, Whitney, Mattea and Hannah Smith; and Trevor, Colin and Benjamin Price; and 10 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his sister, Kathleen Bushaw, of Cypress, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 16, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Fla. The committal service will follow at 1:30 pm at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL (904) 288-0025.