Donald Porter
Donald William Porter, 89, a longtime resident of Whitefish, died Aug. 18, 2006, of natural causes.
He was born April 20, 1917, at Mold City, Wash., the middle son of Thomas and Clementine (Beaton) Porter. As a small child, he moved to Rosebud, Miles City and Billings. In 1922, the family moved to Spokane, where he attended grade school, Gonzaga High School and Kinman Business University.
He began his railroad career in Spokane with Great Northern Railway in 1935, and subsequently with promotions he worked in Wenatchee and Seattle, Klamath Falls, Ore., and Great Falls. In 1955, Don moved to Whitefish to work as supervisor of accounting for the west end of the railroad. This territory extended from Williston, N.D., to Seattle and from Vancouver, B.C., to Bieber, Calif. While working for the railroad, he traveled extensively through many states. After retirement, he traveled to places like Hawaii and Alaska.
Don retired from Burlington Railroad on May 31, 1977, after 42 years of service. His career was interrupted for three years during World War II ,when he served as a platoon sergeant training combat engineer troops for overseas duty.
During his retirement he enjoyed his passions for golf and woodworking. He began golfing at age 13 and was Caddy No. 7 at the Spokane Country Golf Club in Spokane. His last golf partner was Jim Kane, owner of the Par 3 Golf Course in Whitefish.
Don was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Elks Club, Burlington Northern Veterans Association and Loyal Order of the Moose.
After moving to Whitefish, in 1954, he was chairman and president of many events, including Gala Days, Railway Appreciation Days, Whitefish Boat Regatta, March of Dimes and the original chairman of United Way. He was once a Montana state judge of the Junior Miss Contest, on the board of directors of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course and derby chairman for many years during their Fourth of July golf tournaments.
He was selected Boss of the Year in 1967. He was president of the Whitefish Winter Carnival in 1963 and chosen as King Ullr V in 1964. He also found time to coach, train and promote the Whitefish Boxing Team for three years.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Beth Barton; his second wife, Joan King; his mother, Clemy; his father, Tommy; and his brother, Dale.
He is survived by daughters Sherry Lewis and husband John, of Reno, Nev., and Patty Patton, of Kalispell; grandchildren Cathy, in Missoula, Teresa DeLaughder, husband Rick and their children Cole and Jesse, in Marion, Earl and his daughter Kiersten, in Kalispell; Earl's son Kyle and wife Brianna; great great grandson Israel, of Langley, Va.; youngest brother Wayne and wife Dorothy, in Seattle; seven nieces and their families; and numerous cousins and their families.
A Christian wake service took place Aug. 20, 2006, at the Austin Funeral Home. A mass of the Christian burial took place Aug. 21, 2006, at St. Charles Catholic Church, with Rev. Pat Patton as celebrant. Burial followed at Whitefish Cemetery with military honors provided by the United Veterans of the Flathead.