Robert Berl "Bob" Porter

Robert Berl “Bob Porter, 87, of San Angelo passed away on April 24, 2022 in San Angelo, Texas. Bob was the first son born to Robert P
ercival Porter and Lillian Thames Porter in Malin, Oregon. Bob grew up in Big Spring, Texas graduating from Big Spring High School in 1952.

Bob was married to Mary Jo Cochron from 1953 to 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy on
October 13, 1953, as a communications Tech. He was discharged on August 14, 1957.

 After his discharge, he attended Wayland College, Odessa College, Arlington State College and graduated from North Texas State “University in 1965 with a BBA in
Production Management. After graduation he worked for Texas Instruments in Richardson, Texas from 1958 to 1975, when he took early retirement. He then made a complete career change when he worked for the Visiting Nurse Association in Dallas from 1975 to 1978, and then became social services director at North Texas Home Health Services in Garland from 1978 to 1983.

Bob met Patsy Sanders at a Second Baptist Church Singles Department Christmas party in December 1974, and they were married August 15, 1975, in Garland, Texas. Having six children between them, they became lovingly known as the Porter Bunch., After they married Bob became the Sunday School teacher for the singles class, where Patsy played the piano. Patsy grew up in San Angelo, and Bob had the love of West Texas in his heart, so they moved to San Angelo in August 1982. For six month she drove back and forth from Garland to San Angelo every weekend until he was hired as the Director of The West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in San Angelo until his retirement in August 2008. He really loved the Lighthouse and said it was the best job he ever had.

Bob was active in First Baptist Church, San Angelo, He taught a couples’ Sunday school class for a few years, and then taught a mens’ class until he had to quit for health reasons. He was an usher for a number of years and an ordained deacon. He was also a member of the Downtown Lions Club where he was known as the great storyteller.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patsy, his children Bonnie Kirby and husband Adrian; son John Porter and wife Penny; and the three daughters he acquired when he married their mom: Pam Granger and husband Tom, of San Angelo; Leslie Bell, of San Angelo, Jill Jones and husband Kirt, of Hobbs, New Mexico; daughter in law Nancy Porter, of Garland, TX and Sister-in-law, Liz Porter, of Rockwall, TX; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, a sister, Jeudi Lee of Arlington; a brother, Hugh (Andy) Porter of Grand Isle,  LA

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo, his sister Jackie, his brother Richard, his brother Gary and his oldest son, Robert L. Porter.

The family visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM April 28, at First Baptist Church, in San Angelo,  with burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make your donation to the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at San Angelo Nursing and Rehab and HOSA for their excellent care and support.

Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.