Richard Glenn Porter

Richard Glenn Porter, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 at the age of 64.

Rick was born in Waco, Texas on March 4, 1955 to Ruby and Glenn Porter. He grew up in Waco as an only child, but his cousins were like siblings to him. He grew up going to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Waco with his parents where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He graduated from Midway High School in 1973. Early on in his working life, he worked as the owner of Porter Construction where he built many houses in and around the Waco area. He met his beloved wife, Karen at First Baptist Woodway, and the two were wed in the summer of 1982. He earned a degree from Texas State Technical College and they moved to the Texas coast where Rick worked in the petroleum industry for four years. In 1986, while living on the coast, they had their first child, Christopher. Soon after, they moved back to Waco where Rick worked at Texas State Technical College as an instructor of instrumentation while earning his bachelor's degree from UT Tyler. In 1989, Rick and Karen welcomed their daughter, Kathryn, into the world. He and Karen raised their family in the Waco area and were active members of First Baptist Woodway, serving in the media center, the nursery, and opening their home to many church activities.  After 30 years of service he retired from TSTC in 2017. Rick loved to work and tinker with anything he could get his hands on, including old cars, model trains, woodworking, and gardening. He also enjoyed adventures such as riding motorcycles and scuba diving. He had a knack for being able to fix anything. He also loved to travel and see new places with his wife, Karen. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and especially enjoyed playing games with them. He was well known for being hard-working, dependable, and caring.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Glenn, and his mother, Ruby. He is survived by his wife Karen, his son Christopher and daughter- in law Mikel, and their four daughters Lawson, Collier, Hayes, and Everett, his daughter Kathryn, father and mother-in-law David and Esther Howells, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15th at Grace Gardens Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16th at Grace Gardens Funeral Home with Dr. Sands of First Baptist Church, Woodway officiating.  Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park.