Charles Edward Porter, 76

PARADISE - Memorial services for Charles Edward Porter, 76, of Paradise were held Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 in Paradise Grade School Multipurpose Room.

Mr. Porter died in Missoula Aug. 6, of COPD. He was born May 12, 1932 in Paradise, where he lived most of his life.

He gave 20 years of service to Northern Pacific and, after the merger, to Burlington Northern Railroad. He packed green and creosoted ties and subsequently served as treating engineer at the tie plant in Paradise.

Mr. Porter served as chairman of Lodge No. 652 of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. He also built miles of highway and logging roads, crushed tons of gravel and hauled many loads of logs at various locations around Western Montana.

Mr. Porter was a School Board member for many years in both Plains and Paradise where he, his father, children, grandchildren and many other kinfolk also attended school. He worked five years at the Paradise School.

He kept the school grounds and building very well maintained. Prior to his retirement from the school in 1997, he restored the antique merry-go-round so it could be enjoyed by more generations.

His great-grandfather, Orlando Steele, had been custodian at the school. Mr. Porter was also a charter member of the Plains-Paradise Chamber of Commerce.

This gentle man passed his love of the outdoors, smoked fish, wild asparagus and elk steak, to survivors who include children Brad (Patty), Hayden Lake, Idaho, Perry (Joe) Paradise, Kevin (Chris), Moiese, and Corri (Terry), Malta; grandchildren Travis (Hillary), Justin, Jessica (Rob), Jolene (Sky), Jacqueline (Mike) and Micaela; ten great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; brothers Bob (Rose), and Kerry (Sharon), sisters Patsy (Bill), Plains, Sandra (Ben), and Cookie (Kenny); stepmother Loretta, her daughter and four sons; companion Carrie Trueax; and former wife Lores Porter.