In Memory

Larry Porter - Class Of 1966

Larry Porter

Larry Porter

May 4, 1948 - September 9, 2022

Of Guerneville, California, died at age 74 of cancer. Larry was a free-spirit that lived life to its fullest. He was well known in the Russian River as 'Moss', having been identified by many of his friends as a Legend of the Russian River. He was loved by all.

Larry is survived by his brother, Mickey Porter '69, sister, Carol Porter Eicher '72; and three sons, Jonah, Marley, and Mose Porter.

Mickey Porter '69



 
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09/27/22 01:07 PM #1    

Thomas J 'Tom' Halleran Jr (1966)

RIP fun friend. I trust you had the life you deserved. Sorry to hear of your passing. Best wishes to those you left behind. 

'Sincerely, Tom Halleran (class of '66)


09/27/22 10:46 PM #2    

Marit 'Connie' Smith (Federcell) (1966)

Rest in love, Larry, classmate and neighbor.


09/28/22 09:46 AM #3    

James L Ward III (1966)

I'm so sorry and shocked to hear of the passing of my old best friend, Larry Porter. Although we have been separated by a lot of miles and years, Larry has held, and will always hold a forever place in my heart and spirit. From the first day I landed at Marengo in 6th grade Larry and I became fast friends. In the years that followed we did everything together - Troop 366, Oneonta Congregational Church, choir and youth group, and so much more. Wherever Larry was I was right there with him; always into mischief, skateboarding all over town, "hoppin' the train" next to the junior high school, hiking and backpacking with Scouts in the Sierras. If Larry got poison oak I got poison oak. When Larry busted his arm skateboarding I cradled his arm as we limped back to his house and on to the ER. I could keep up with him most of the time, but in track he out-distanced me because I was a middle distance guy and Larry really excelled in the long distance races. And, surfing, Wow! The bigger the waves, all the better for Larry. He was fearless in big surf and loved the ocean. I can still see him to this day, glued to his board, getting ride after ride on overhead waves at breaks like Killer Dana, Brooks Street, Refugio and more. He claimed fame in big contest surf at Cornwall, England in the summer of '66. He sent me a postcard telling me he'd borrowed a board to get in that contest and then took first place! I am so sorry, my friend, that we have lost you, but I know you are joyously riding even bigger surf now with your heavenly hosts. My sympathy and prayers go out to Mickey, Carol, Larry's sons, and his extended family and friends. If any family member or friends wish to reach out I can be reached at 208-301-8820. Blessings to all. 


09/28/22 01:49 PM #4    

Rob Driscoll (1966)

Larry moved to So Pas from Guatamala where his dad was employed. He lived on Oak Streeet and then moved to a large English Tudor on Marengo and Laurel. I remember the day he moved in and playing hide and go seek as fourth graders, driving his mom nuts. His mom, an english lady, Gita, always made the best grilled cheese sanwiches as we passed the hours in his backyard swimming and getting into trouble. We would journey to the So Pas Review togther to deliver our papers every Tuesday and Thursday and down to the Arroyo for baseball practice, we were part of a gang of young ones, always seeking new adventures in So Pas. . 

I always enjoyed surfing with Larry as Jim Ward has shared. One of the best events from his home is every Christmas Eve his Dad would play the trumpet at midnight welcoming the arrival of Christmas Day with carols. Living down the street on Marengo our faamily would wait up till Mr. Porter concluded his playing. 

One of the highlites for my wife Beth is when Larry showed up at the 40th class reunion and sat next to her, explaining about so many of our classmates as only Larry could share. His smile was always contagious for anyone he met and his humor that night kept my wife entertained. His uniiqueness for living life will always be remembered by his friend down the street, fellow Marengo School, paper boy, Little League Teammate, Cub Scouts Den 7C, Spruce Street Sewer Explorer and surfers from the 60s. God Speed larry!


06/04/23 06:11 PM #5    

John Mumford (1966)

Sorry to hear of his passing. I didn't spend much time with him. He always had a smile though and I wished I had gone surfing with him. Rest in peace.


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