“H.R.” “Ross” (Howell R. Porter IV,) 40, of Louisville, passed in his sleep on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at his home. Isn’t that how all obituaries begin? With my Mom’s years in the business and experience in knowing how to write my obituary, here we go. Don’t mind her, she’s writing in third person ..
“I was born on July 9th of 1980 to Howell R Porter III and Kathy McKay Porter at 5:33 pm at Baptist East Hospital. It was a beautiful, sunny day and Mom went into labor with me starting to kick her at around 5:30 am. I guess I have been quite the rascal all my life, anything to get attention you know … or so Mom says. I was always in a hurry and never really focused – to which we found out I had ADHD and I was impatient about everything in life. Try teaching a new Mom how to deal with that! It was exhausting!
We moved to Dallas, Texas – the big “D” and I went to grade school there. My parents divorced and it was just me and Mom. The dynamic duo .. which was good because she was always there no matter what. And trust me when I tell you, I gave her a run for her money and patience!
Seizures began when I was 8 and it proved to be a rough time for me and Mom all through my life. Doctors, medications and therapists. I’ve gone through a lot – and not always with dexterity, as I could be quite a handful and bullheaded. I didn’t like taking meds at school because it made me different and that was no fun. When we moved back to Kentucky it seemed to only get worse.
I found that I had a passion for building Lego sets of epic proportion and I was damned good at it. (Excuse me while I bow!) But I missed out on a lot in life. You know like graduating from PRP or going to prom. I never drove but always wanted a Ford F150 or dually truck or a Rubicon Jeep … course my Nan wouldn’t have appreciated the Jeep given she retired from Ford! I didn’t get into the Air Force, but flying a Stealth was always something I had wanted to do. I didn’t get to see the Grand Canyon either. And at times I felt “ghostlike” as though people didn’t see me, the real me. I just wanted to be normal and have friends. Seizures were a curse for me. I hated having them and how they seemed to take over my life. I’ve spent waaay too much time in hospitals.
I’ve lost a grandpa, John H. McKay who was a Commander in the Navy; a great-grandmother, Granny, Elizabeth Bohlsen; my aunt Pat and Uncle Teddy Bohlsen and numerous pets along the way.
The worst part though is leaving my Mom, Kathy Porter and my Nan, Joyce McKay behind along with our two cats, Max and Charlie Brown because I didn’t get to say good bye and I love you to any of them.
I always hoped to be around to help take care of my Mom and Nan, but obviously, God had a different thought when he said on Sunday, the 21st, “You’ve endured enough H.R., so come on home.” I always thought that each of us is connected somehow, someway, so now I get to meet others who have gone before me. I know Mom wants me to meet her grandpa, Theodore E. “Bill” Bohlsen, because according to Mom, “he was the bomb!” I can’t wait!
I was given the gift of life in 1980 and now I guess in 2021 I have to give it back. In my opinion, it wasn’t enough time .. I wasn’t ready. But even with all the trials and struggles in life, I was lucky and loved.
Mom’s planning a memorial for me to include my favorite time of year, Christmas, on my birthday, July 9, 2021, with a gathering beginning at 5:00pm and service beginning at 6:00pm. Thank you to all of you that have reached out to her … she and I appreciate you.”
Love Ross – “H.R.”
P.S. To help out the local food bank, would you please bring a canned good or a non-perishable… Thanks !
Ross' Memorial Service will be Live Streamed via our Facebook Page - Evergreen Funeral Home & Evergreen Cemetery beginning 5:45 p.m.
