Richard L Portman

Richard Linden Portman passed away on November 3, 2012 at age 88. Mr. Portman was born in Laredo, Missouri on March 11, 1924 to parents Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Portman. He graduated from Laredo High School in 1942.

He joined the Army Air Corps in December of 1942 and was in the India-China-Burma theatre with the 14th Army Air Corps 22nd Bomb Squadron as a mechanic and flight engineer. He was discharged in December 1945.

In 1946, he and his brother Vernon went to Hawaii to work as air craft mechanics. They returned to the contiguous states a year later to hire out on the Milwaukee Railroad in May of 1947. Richard was promoted to Railroad Engineer in 1952 and retired in 1973.

Richard was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a Life member of the VFW Post 9997, a member of P.A.C. and a member of Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church. A brick was purchased in his honor at the Liberty Memorial.

He enjoyed summers for 16 years of retirement at Leisure Lake in Trenton, Missouri.

He is preceded in death by his parents, M.J. and Naomi Portman; his brother, Vernon Portman and a grandson. He leaves behind his wife, Teresa; five step children, Judith Thornton and husband Larry, Earl Newill and wife Belinda, Terence Newill all of Independence, Missouri, James Newill and wife Marti of Phoenix, Arizona and Jeanne Burge and husband Ray of Trimble, Missouri; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 nephews; 1 niece; 3 great-nephews; 1 great-niece and 1 great-great niece.

Richard's humor and wit will be greatly missed by all of his family, friends and neighbors.

Visitation at McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home - Cremation

11924 E. 47th Street

Kansas City, MO 64133

On Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 2-3pm and service beginning at 3pm.

Military memorial at Higginsville National Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to:

Alpha Cemetery

Attn: Peggy Gardner

307 E. Crandall Street

Meadville, MO 64659-9235

and/or

Mt. calvary United Methodist Church

700 Blue Ridge Boulevard

Kansas City, MO 64125