John W. Porter

John Porter, 75, of Greenfield, died Thursday, June 13, 2024, Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at 16 Oaks in Fontanelle, with burial following in the Greenfield Cemetery. Full Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265, V.F.W. Post No. 5357 and the Air Force Military Honors. Pig by Big will serve supper at 16 Oaks following the burial. Friends may call from 2-7 p.m., with family to greet them from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be directed to the family to be established at a later date.

John William Porter was born March 10, 1949, to Dick and Helen (Fagan) Porter. He was named after his paternal grandfather. John attended Greenfield schools where he excelled in football and basketball. After graduation in 1967, John joined the Air Force assigned to Texas, Mississippi, Kansas, Taiwan and Vietnam serving as an admin specialist. John was blessed with four children: Angela Sue, Jesse James, Billie Ann, and Dillon Neal.

In 1971, he was discharged from the Air Force and followed in his dad’s footsteps by becoming, what John called, a “transportation, distribution, relocation technician”, AKA truck driver. His career began with ADR, DD&W (Daughenbaugh, Dwinell & Wilson) and ended with G&H Motor Freight, the same company both his parents were employed by and later his son Dillon. He retired in January 2010 with 2.6 million miles accident free.

John had a passion for motorcycles, music and classic vehicles. His first motorcycle was a 1974 Honda Scrambler. In the early 80s, he purchased his first Harley, a 1977 Chopper Nose Cone Shovelhead in a swing arm frame, with an extended custom Springer front end. Over the years, John purchased 19 new motorcycles. He was a 38-year member of ABATE.

On Jan. 8, 2005, John’s brother, Long Time Billy, invited Kathy, a fellow elementary teacher, to a club meeting in Missouri. When Kathy arrived, she was shocked to see all of the hair, the tattoos and the leather. Billy turned and grinned at her without his front tooth. It was a vast difference from the tweed sports coat, his well trimmed beard and no missing teeth she saw every day at school. This meeting quickly led to long phone calls and quick trips in the semi. Kathy was so grateful she did not judge the book by its cover, because she would have missed out on the best 20 years of her life (other than her childhood).

John’s love for music made for an excellent first date with Kathy in May 2005. He took her to see George Thorogood. Over the last 20 years, they saw many legends such as: ZZ Top, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Blue Oyster Cult, B.B. King, Roger Waters, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Motley Crue. Last June he knocked Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, off his bucket list, seeing Brit Floyd.

John never met a stranger. His friends were countless. He was blessed to be known by many names like John, JP, QP, Porter, Quarter, Peter, Jonathan and of course, Scribbles. However, Kathy struggled with what to call him, so many to choose from, but none felt quite right. One day, she found a small baby picture of him. When she turned it over, there was his mother’s beautiful, cursive writing that said “Johnny.” From that day on, he was her Johnny and she was his “Cothy.”

John made 31 trips to Sturgis and took Kathy 17 times. The most memorable trip for them was in 2009, when John had planned a surprise wedding for the love of his life, complete with a preacher, flowers, veil, garter and many friends who helped keep the secret.

John was a true patriot that loved his country. He served as Sergeant At Arms and caretaker of the Freedom Rock for all 26 years. Serving as Ray “Bubba” Sorensen’s right hand man. As a strong believer in the Second Amendment, he was a lifetime member of the NRA. In 2022, John received the Ron Herr Republican Legacy Award. This was presented to him for his longtime service to the Republican Party of Adair County.

John was known as “Scribbles“ in the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Iowa Midwest Region for the past 21 years. His last service duty was Iowa State Sergeant At Arms. In this club, he found indescribable camaraderie and support. The love, respect and brotherhood the club represents was a HUGE blessing in Scribbles’ life. In May, at the VNV M/C Midwest Regional, he told Kathy (Tall Girl) “I had the best time with my brothers!”

John and Kathy started going to Arizona in 2010. There, they were surprised to meet such dear, dear friends. They were able to enjoy warm, sunny weather for the past 14 years, happy to escape the cold, cloudy winters of Iowa.

In 2017, the next generation of John’s legacy was born. Arabella had grandpa wrapped around her little finger from day one. He affectionately called her “Little Girl.” Their special bond was formed with trips in the wagon, playing at the park, enjoying the playset Grandpa bought for her beautiful backyard and tea parties. Grandpa looked forward to seeing her every day. Bella’s hugs and kisses were the highlight of his days. They would sing, dance, play, hold hands and love on each other. They were tight!

John was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Helen Porter; son, Jesse Porter and very special cousin, Randy Porter.

John is survived by his brother, Gary (Melissa) Porter of Hudson, Wisconsin; Mardelle Porter of Ankeny, many cousins and other dear relatives.

Left to continue his legacy are his loving wife, Kathy; his daughters, Angela (Steve) Culberson of Rome, Georgia, Lacy (Don) Wood of Rincon, Georgia, and Sammi Henry (Rob Henley) of Lorimor; his sons of honor, David “Griff” (Donnell) Griffith of Bridgewater; Tony (Hannah) Hoadley of Cromwell and Robb (Tiffany) Finn of Mesa, Arizona; his FR (favorite relative), Lori Sue Shilling of Greenfield; his grandchildren: Bella Porter (Little Girl); Oliver Moses of Clarinda, Chaos Hoadley of Cromwell, Mia Henley of Lorimor, Christian Henry, Collin Irwin of Phoenix, Arizona, Eil Wood, Cevana (Chad) Sullivan and Sami (Nick) Moss, all of Rincon, Georgia.

He will be greatly missed by his four-legged friends, Scout and Gunner.