Gary R. Porter
Gary R. Porter
Gary R. Porter, 80 Born in Wisconsin to Ray and Hazel Porter on July 8, 1941.
The Lord called Gary……
Longtime resident of Lynnwood Washington while in the presence of his wife Barb and family members at their family home. Gary answered Gods call on December 24,2021. Due to numerous natural causes most recently leukemia diagnosis.
July 8, 1941, in Wisconsin Gary was born to Ray and Hazel Porter. Preceded in death were Gary’s parents Ray and Hazel Porter, sister Marilyn Lewis and sadly Barb and Gary’s son Chris (Hopper) Porter (2005).
Gary married his childhood sweetheart on July 7, 1962, Barbara Lagervall Porter. From an early age Gary was a hard worker. Starting out as a paper boy and went on to reside in Yakima working for his dad (Ray) at Valley Tree Service. Later moving on to Seattle and continuing with his dad working and building the family business until 1976. In between in the evenings he worked at a Union 76 station to supplement the family income. In ’76 he took “Ray Porter and Sons” and turned it into his own family business “Gary’s Valley Gardening Service”. He worked this business until recently.
As already mentioned, Gary worked very hard and always provided for his family. On the flip-side of that, Gary played as hard as he worked. Through the years he built and raced demolition derby along with family members bringing home trophies while building friendships. later turning to Hotrods. As a member of the Vintique’s of Yakima he built and modified his own hotrods. And there they go Barbara and Gary pulling their Playboy mansion behind them to many different events all around Washington and Canada, building more friendships and bringing home more trophies. Not to forget all their bowling friends. Gary loved working in his shop. Painting, creating Seahawk clocks of all types, and souping up his golf cart to take hills with ease. Gary took much pride in creating a beautiful scenic yard for all passersby to enjoy.
Survived by his spouse of nearly 60 years Barbara, brother Ronald E Porter of Everett, WA., sons Tyrone (58), Nick (55) (Marie), daughter Tami (52) (Mike), 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Many other close relatives.
Due to inclement weather and COVID concerns the family plans a summer celebration of life to be announced at a later date. (Watch Facebook for details)
Place of internment: Pioneer Cemetery, Camano Island, Washington.
15 Responses to “Gary R. Porter”
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I’m gonna miss you like crazy. Your guided tours around your latest projects. Riding on your newest hyped up contraption. The walks around the beautiful landscaped property. Your surprises each year when we leave and Barb gets home to another surprise. Ever since we were kids we always enjoyed short talks and your silly ideas to go visit neighbors early Saturdays. Lots of good memories. Love you, be sure to save us a place. Denise 💞
Barb, Ty, Nick(Marie), Tami(Mike), and all the grandchildren, we are deeply sorry for your loss, Gary was a quiet man but he was also a good man that will be greatly missed. Gary was a man of many talents and he was never afraid to try them out. He loved any new gadget he could find and surprised Barb with many. Gary’s biggest talent was the ability to create a noteworthy yard that would just amaze you that he could create such beauty. In my younger years Gary and I spent a lot of time together when Barb was working and he taught me how to drive a stick(in his work pickup) it was bumpy at first but he was very patient with me. I have a lifetime of memories but most of all I will miss him for a lifetime and beyond. Be at peace
I love you brother
Aunt Barb I am so sorry for your loss!! Uncle Gary was an amazing man who truly loved you like no other!! He will be greatly missed!! But so happy he is free of pain and with Hopper and all our other loved ones lost!! You are in our prayers!! Love you!
The Holthaus Family
Gary, Our Hearts are “TOGETHER FOREVER” THERE ARE NO WORDS TO SAY HOW EMPTY I FEEL WITHOUT YOU.REST IN PEACE MY LOVE, YOU DESERVE IT AS YOU WORKED SO HARD ALL OF YOUR LIFE.TIL WE MEET AGAIN I WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU. BARB.
Barb and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Gary was always very friendly and generous to me. He always had a smile for me each day I came to work. He loved to show me his latest projects. He sometimes surprised me by dropping in with a burger or some other take out food that he had gotten when he was out and about. Always with a cheerful smile and sense of humor. I love his landscaping and all of the surprises around the yard, the pond, and Chelsea’s “secret garden”. It was always fun to see his Halloween and Christmas decorations in the yard. Hugs and love to you all. Rest In Peace Gary.
Aunt Barb and Family , Uncle Gary was a man of that I will always remember, he was kind, happy, and always smiling , he help find the love of gardening ( yes I have a green thumb) he would tell about different flowers and bark to use and not to use and vintage cars and hot rods racing, I remember telling him about me racing in a powder puff and won the race and a guy want to beat me up because I was a girl racing and uncle Gary said silly boy !!!! I remember going to the race track (SSIR) like in the late 70’s I think ( I am old not sure lol) his brother was there and some friends of his and I said I love the smell of rubber and he looked at me and said so do I so do I , when I would babysit the kids I would tell them stay out of the flower beds your dad is going to be mad if you mess up the yard with bark .. he can’t mow if you do! I will always remember going to his parents for different events. When we ( Mark & I) decided to go on the Road traveling with my job in our motor coach
( 2013) we had to get rid of our Special Golf Cart ( NO room for it) I knew who would love it and he did, especially the flames, stereo, and of course the lift on it made the Cart look beefy, Mark and I had a blast building it. We told Nick it’s for sell and he came to Tricities to buy it from us, we are so glad you boys had fun together in it as we did , I have so many memories of time with Uncle Gary that I will always carry close to my heart, I love you and can’t wait to see your smile again in heaven when I get there. The man that made a difference in us all will always be remembered. Let the stars shine bright just like you every night as we pray.
Love from your niece forever, Tina Bond
Aunt Barb,
I am so sorry that you and the family lost Gary at what is normally a festive and joyful time of year. I think it is also symbolic that he left for Heaven on the Eve of the birth of Christ, our Savior who gave His life so that we could have eternal life with our Father. No doubt many welcomed Uncle Gary when he passed, which is also beautiful since he had the comfort of family surrounding him when he left here, to be received into the arms of family that left before him and there in a place of most perfect peace. I know you miss him terribly, but take comfort that he’s in the best place now, and through your faith you know you will see him again!
We love you,
Stacey
Grandpa,
I miss your humor, your kindness and just how dang adorable you were. I never had a dull moment with you in all the memories I have of you. It’s unfortunate you can’t see your great great great grandchild grow up, but I know your always watching over us💖 I’m so happy you are in the kingdom of God and you no longer hurt. After 79 long years you can now rest with your mother, father and your son. Love you.
You will be missed. You were quite an inspiration to me on all of your perfect home decor and creations. Your kind and easy going personality and always a pleasure to come see and visit. You always welcomed us as part of your family and loved your ambition and energy. We always enjoyed being there to see what new project you had going. We always felt connected to you both. We feel very fortunate to have been in your life and your family’s.
Keep on riding Gary! We soon will see you again.
It has been such a joy to keep up with Barb and Gary’s Life on facebook. Although Frannie and I have not seen them for 50 years we still feel a close connection to their lives. I will forever remember the times we had at the langerval house when we were 16 and 17 years old and Gary lived close to them. What great times we had. I always remember Gary as a really hard worker and I knew that he would be successful in life, especially if he had a wife like Barbara. Losing a spouse, especially a good spouse, after 60 years has to be one of the most difficult things a person has to go through. Our prayers will continue to be with you and your family.
One of the best men I have ever known you will be missed dad love you very much rest in peace with no more pain love you
Gary porter was my great grandpa, he was the world’s sweetest, most caring, most hard working man I’ve ever known. Everyday even when it was raining he’d be out in the yard making it look nice, or helping someone else out in they’re yard making it look nice. It’s so sad to say he’s gone, I still can’t believe he’s gone, but I know he’s not in pain anymore and that he’s in a better place. Love and miss you grandpa.
I was blessed to know the Porter’s as Chelsea’s nurse for several years.
What a talented loving family man. Once in awhile Gary let me peek at his Beautiful restored car when on duty. I was amazed at the perfection in every detail.
Besides the amazing car, the yard and gardens❣️❣️❣️Gary also won my admiration for his Halloween display I saw a few years back. I wish I could go back in time and help him decorate, we would of had a fun time I’m sure.
Rest in peace Gary until we meet again💞🙏💞
Very sorry for your loss. It’s a shame that after moving to the East coast I was never able to meet Gary.
I am so very sad that we have lost such a kind and gentle man. My Uncle Gary was always smiling. That is what I will forever remember. I saw him 4 years ago and wish I would have went and visited more often. He is now in a better place out of pain with all the other wonderful people we have lost. I love you Uncle Gary