Larry Cecil Porter Sr.'s Obituary
Larry Cecil Porter Sr., a devoted husband, father, veteran, public servant, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully at home with family on May 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy rooted in duty, education, adventure, and enduring love. He was 87 years old.
Larry was born on March 19, 1938, in Concord, North Carolina. The son of Luther Hall Washington Porter and Edna Lucille (Fink) Porter, he was raised in a family that knew both joy and hardship. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Lloyd Hall Porter, Bertha Mae (Porter) Helms, Barbara Darlene (Porter) Brooks; his two sons, Larry Anderson Porter and Jerry Wayne Porter, and numerous extended family members.
His early education began at Hartsell School in Concord, NC where he completed all 12 grades, graduating on May 17, 1956. His commitment to learning never waned. He earned an Associate of Arts in General Business from Merced College in 1965, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fresno State College in 1968, and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California in 1984.
Larry served his country with distinction in multiple branches of the U.S. military. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1957, where he served for seven and a half years, rising to the rank of E-5. He later joined the California Air National Guard and eventually transitioned into the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO-4). He retired on his 60th birthday, March 19, 1998, capping a military career that spanned over four decades.
His military service included key roles during pivotal events, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, where he served as the On-Scene Fiscal Officer in Alaska. His leadership and attention to detail contributed greatly to federal recovery efforts. His work also took him across the country and included significant civil service with the U.S. Coast Guard, where he retired as a GS-15.
Beyond his professional life, Larry was a man of many chapters and stories. He lived in numerous states—from North Carolina to California, Virginia to Alaska—and always found joy in traveling the open road visiting all fifty states, often with his family. He cherished life’s details, recounting fishing stories in Alaska, boating on Millerton Lake, old friends and Coast Guard buddies, and even the day he saw television for the first time.
In 1971, Larry met the love of his life, Margret Ann (Redwine) Porter. They married on June 3, 1972, and built a life full of love, laughter, and deep companionship. Together, they raised their children and was a loving and dedicated father, proud grandfather, and great-grandfather to many.
Larry’s life was rich with experience—military service, civil leadership, fatherhood, education, and a zest for learning and recounting life’s many tales. His integrity, quiet strength, sense of humor, and meticulous memory made him a unique and respected presence wherever he went. Many will remember his heartwarming smile.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margret; his children, Larry “Cecil” Porter, Jr. (Deborah) and Margaret Kathleen (Porter) Grivas (Nicole), his stepchildren Michael Ray Potter (Trish), Kimberly Ann (Potter) Taylor, and Kelly Lynn (Potter) Penniman (Aldo); his cherished grandchildren, Jerry “JP”, Emilyn, Lennon, and Keegan; and a wide circle of extended grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family and friends whose lives he touched deeply.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on June 14, 2025, at Arcola United Methodist Church in Dulles, VA. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation beginning at 2:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM. A reception will be held at Honor Brewery Loudoun from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.
Please kindly RSVP here: Honor Brewery Reception RSVP
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Larry’s memory to the Arcola Church Worship and Arts Ministry: Arcola Worship and Arts Donations
The memorial service will be livestreamed via Arcola Church Live Stream and Arcola Church Facebook.
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