Don Porter

Don Gilbert Porter, age 99 passed away quietly in his sleep on February 29, 2016 in St. George UT. He was born May 15, 1916 in Salt Lake City Utah to Frank Grantier Porter and Myrtle Ivory Field. Don graduated from Lyman High School in 1935. He married Nyda Platts on June 3, 1935 in Morgan UT. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Don owned and operated a full service gas station for 26 years in Lyman Wyoming. In the early 60's, with his own money and hard work, he provided Bridger Valley with TV service of the three SLC Television stations and re-transmitted them on UHF Channels to the valley. Don was on the Lyman Town Council for over a decade. He helped his brother Kilburn Porter build a ski lift called Eagle Rock, just outside of Evanston, where Don could be found almost every Saturday during the winter season. His last ski trip was with some of his grandsons when he was 90 years old. He was an avid hunter and fisherman most of his life. Golfing became a pastime when he moved to Delta, then became a passion when he moved to Orem. On his birthday when he turned 99, he only played one hole as the weather that day was cold and wet. He often golfed at the Cascade Golf course with his son J. Don shot a hole in one at age 87. Don stayed active and attended church singles dances as well as dancing up a storm at the Orem Senior Citizens Center until he moved to St. George in the fall of 2014. One of his favorite pastimes was panning for gold, looking for the big strike up until the last year of his life. Just before his 90th birthday he cut down two 60 foot trees in his back yard in Orem. Don's active lifestyle had a temporary setback when he suffered a heart attack in 1973. He was one of the first open heart surgery patents operated on by Dr. Russell M. Nelson. He was given, what was thought at the time, to be a 5-10 year extension to his life. He made it 42 years. He has had many other near death experiences but his incredible determination and will to live has been an inspiration to many. Don was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. From 1983-1984 Don and Nyda served in the Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Mission. Don also served a cannery mission when he we 90 years old. Don is survived by his children Alona, Lakeworth FL, J, St. George UT, Sandra (George) Dutson, Lehi UT, Rhonda (Keven) Cook, Mesa AZ , Gilbert and Perry both of Orem UT. Don had 31 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and all of his brothers and sisters, a son LaMar, a grandson, Ian Porter, and a granddaughter Christy Lynne Porter. Funeral services will be held at the Cascade 3rd Ward, 1051 E 200 N Orem Utah on Saturday March 5, 2016 at 1 pm. A viewing will be held at 11 am prior to the funeral, and an additional viewing will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S State Street in Orem.

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