Gary "Gair" Lee Porter

Gary L. Porter died quietly at home on Friday, June 7, 2024 at age 80. Gary was affectionately known as “Gair” to those who knew and loved him. Gair was the oldest of three children born to Taylor and Betty (Spangler) Porter. Gair was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, where he later shared with others that he played “cowboys and Indians.” This foundation would serve him well as a future warrior serving with the U.S. Army Rangers.

Gair graduated from Anderson High School then followed his uncles’ footsteps of serving their country. He had five uncles who served in World War II and another who was killed in Korea; most of which returned to the farmlands of Indiana to work at General Motors.

Gair joined the Indiana National Guard in 1966 at the height of the Vietnam War. In 1967, the Department Of Defense decided to “experiment” by using National Guardsmen in combat. So, 216 Indiana Guardsmen were chosen and activated to the regular Army. Gair became a proud 151 Co D Ranger (Airborne), often called the “Indiana Rangers.” Gair proudly and honorably served his country with the Rangers during the Vietnam War from 1968-1969.

In February 1969, his first assignment in Vietnam was as point man on a five-person Ranger team. Though the life expectancy of a point man was three missions, Gair completed a total of 33 missions during his tour of duty. Gair was awarded the Combat Air Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Bronze Star with a V device among others. In 2021 the unit was awarded the distinction of the most highly decorated unit serving in the Vietnam War.

Before deployment to Vietnam, Gair married Marsha (Brennon). Upon his return, they had a son, Matthew T. Porter. Marsha was killed in an automobile accident while traveling with Matthew on vacation. Gair married Pam L. (Harrison), expanding his family with the addition of another son, Shawn, and daughter, Shelly Harrison.

While working for GM, Gair started to assist other Veterans in dealing with the impact of war as a union representative and committeeman. This sparked a lifelong dedication to serving other Veterans. Gair attended Ball State University and received his master’s in counseling psychology. He went on to establish The Madison Clinic, which expanded to five locations and was one of the only Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizing (JCAHO) accredited as a for-profit outpatient mental health clinic.

The Madison Clinic held the longest contract services with the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Counseling program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It was often called the “The Vet Center” program and provided assessment and treatment of combat Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Governor Robert Orr appointed Gair to the Agent Orange Advisory Committee for the State of Indiana in 1986. In 1987, Gair created and implemented an Adolescent inpatient treatment unit in partnership with The Anderson Center. He also designed and directed the inpatient treatment track for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at Arbor Hospital.

Sadly, after 16 years of marriage, Gair lost the love of his life, Pam, to lung cancer. It was a life-changing event for this warrior. Gair believed battles could be won if you planned and worked hard and long enough. After losing Pam, Gair decided he had enough of life and its challenges. He had lived, served, and loved. It wasn’t about being suicidal. He was just exhausted by everything God put in his path.

However, God had other plans; in April 1991, Gair, sponsored by Arbor Hospital, took seven busloads of Vietnam combat Veterans to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. On the trip, he met Pamela (Garrett), one of the trauma specialists hired to support the Veterans. This was the beginning of 33 years of shared life filled with love, family, and service to others, especially Veterans.

As son Matthew liked to share, “Pamela came home with us to take a nap and just never left.” Gair and Pamela married within 90 days of meeting. Friends and family had to choose a “yes” or “no” button to attend the wedding reception. Clearly, the “yes” won.

Gair became a certified Vietnam Veterans of America service officer and provided pro bono services to assist veterans in filing claims for service connection with the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1995, Governor Evan Bayh awarded Gair the “Sagamore of the Wabash” Award for his lifelong service to Veterans. In 1998, Gair cofounded two not-for-profit organizations. The first, Vietnam Veterans Assistance Program, to better serve Veterans in filling claims with the VA and helped to cover the living costs for younger Veterans. The second The Reluctant Warrior Program focused on the assessment and treatment of trauma related disorders. Gair received “The Jefferson Award” by Governor Evan Bayh in 1989. Gair was a founder of the Indiana Rolling Thunder Chapter#1 and participated in the Memorial Day demonstration ride in Washington, D.C. for ten years.

Gair loved to golf and scuba dive; he also became an incredibly skilled woodworker and was awarded the distinction of “Masters Award” by the Marc Adams school of woodworking. He made full kitchen cabinets, hutches, and other wood crafts. Gair was committed to a life of learning.

Gair leaves many to celebrate his life and carry his memory; his wife, Pamela Porter; sons, Shawn(Susan) Harrison of Tampa, Florida, and Breydn (Katlyn) Weston-Porter of Muncie, Indiana; daughters, Shelly (Todd) Hartman of Fishers, Indiana, and Jessica (Ryan) Caldwell of Muncie, Indiana; two special “adopted” sons, Andy (Juli) Jonas of Muncie, Indiana, and Landon Wages of Muncie, Indiana; and a special “adopted” daughter, Julia (Mike) Timmons of Indianapolis, Indiana; eleven grandchildren, SarahCate, Ethan, Cade, Carly, Camryn, Garrett, Lucas, Brylee, Kashton, Hadleigh, (arriving in October), Breydn Jr.; sister, Joyce (Jerry) Brown-Pfeffer; mother-in-law, Marveline Garrett; sisters-in-laws, Connie Garrett and Cindy (Scott) Linn; numerous nieces and nephews; his 151 Co D Ranger brothers; Don “Vic” Viccaro; and golfing buddies, Rick Kirk, and Rick King; and his fur buddy, Groot.

In 2018, Gair and his family were devastated by the loss son Matthew. In addition to both of his parents, Gair was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Porter; a sister-in-law, Kim Porter; his father-in-law, Ray T. Garrett; and his fur buddy, Chewy.

Memorial services with Military Rites will be held on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m., at the 911 Memorial located at Elm Ridge Memorial Park, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304.

Following services, family and friends are invited to a celebration of life held at Knights of Columbus from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM located at 3600 W. Purdue Ave., Muncie, IN 47304. https://kofcmuncieindiana.com

Updates can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/muncie-in/gary-porter-11853173 for additional details.