In Memory Of
James Porter
James Porter
James W. Porter, 93, Topeka, died Thursday, July 15, 2004 at his residence.
He was born March 1, 1911, in Topeka, the son of William L. and Gweneth Petty Porter. He attended Topeka public schools, graduating from Topeka High School in 1929, and from the University of Chicago in 1933, where he was captain of the basketball team. He received his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University in 1935.
Mr. Porter practiced law in Topeka for over 65 years. He was a partner in the firm of Eidson, Lewis, Porter & Haynes from 1939-1989 and the firm of Porter, Fairchild, Wachter and Haney, P.A. from 1989 until his retirement. He served as the attorney for the Topeka Board of Education from 1955-1975.
He served in the Kansas House of Representatives 1941-1943, and in the Kansas State Senate from 1949-1961.
He was a member and past president of the Topeka Bar Association, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kansas and American Bar Associations, the Topeka Lawyers Club, and served on the Review Committee of the Kansas Board of Discipline of Attorneys. He served on the boards of Mt. Hope Cemetery, United Way, Washburn Endowment Association and Merchants National Bank, and on the Advisory Board of the YWCA. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter, S.A.R. and Topeka Country Club. He was past president and an active member of the Topeka Lions Club for over 60 years until his death.
Mr. Porter served in the US Navy from 1942-1945 in the Pacific Theatre, and attained the rank of Lt. Commander.
He received the Citation for Public Service by the Alumni Association of the University of Chicago; Distinguished Service Award from the Topeka Board of Education; a certificate for 50 years of practice by the Kansas Bar Association; the Distinguished Service Award from Washburn University; the Award for Excellence in Community Service by the Daughters of American Revolution; the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Jayhawk Area Council, B.S.A.; Melvin Jones award from Lions Club International; and was inducted into the Topeka High School Hall of Fame.
He married Wilma Prewett on Aug. 14, 1942. She died Jan. 15, 2001.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, William and Dianna Porter of Memphis, TN, daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Masoner and James Concannon of Topeka, daughter Jaime Porter of Pittsburgh, PA, grandchildren, Christopher Masoner and wife, Michelle of Lawrence, Brad Porter and Hadley Armstrong of Pittsburgh, PA, Matthew Armstrong of Rochester, MN, Kate Armstrong of Augusta, ME, and 3 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 am Monday at Mt. Hope Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James W. and Wilma Porter Scholarship Fund at Washburn University School of Law, 1700 SW College Ave., 66621 to the Topeka Lions Foundation, c/o Les Carlson, 70 SW Peppertree, 66611, or to the Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29th, 66614. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at penwellgabel.com
He was born March 1, 1911, in Topeka, the son of William L. and Gweneth Petty Porter. He attended Topeka public schools, graduating from Topeka High School in 1929, and from the University of Chicago in 1933, where he was captain of the basketball team. He received his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University in 1935.
Mr. Porter practiced law in Topeka for over 65 years. He was a partner in the firm of Eidson, Lewis, Porter & Haynes from 1939-1989 and the firm of Porter, Fairchild, Wachter and Haney, P.A. from 1989 until his retirement. He served as the attorney for the Topeka Board of Education from 1955-1975.
He served in the Kansas House of Representatives 1941-1943, and in the Kansas State Senate from 1949-1961.
He was a member and past president of the Topeka Bar Association, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kansas and American Bar Associations, the Topeka Lawyers Club, and served on the Review Committee of the Kansas Board of Discipline of Attorneys. He served on the boards of Mt. Hope Cemetery, United Way, Washburn Endowment Association and Merchants National Bank, and on the Advisory Board of the YWCA. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter, S.A.R. and Topeka Country Club. He was past president and an active member of the Topeka Lions Club for over 60 years until his death.
Mr. Porter served in the US Navy from 1942-1945 in the Pacific Theatre, and attained the rank of Lt. Commander.
He received the Citation for Public Service by the Alumni Association of the University of Chicago; Distinguished Service Award from the Topeka Board of Education; a certificate for 50 years of practice by the Kansas Bar Association; the Distinguished Service Award from Washburn University; the Award for Excellence in Community Service by the Daughters of American Revolution; the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Jayhawk Area Council, B.S.A.; Melvin Jones award from Lions Club International; and was inducted into the Topeka High School Hall of Fame.
He married Wilma Prewett on Aug. 14, 1942. She died Jan. 15, 2001.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, William and Dianna Porter of Memphis, TN, daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Masoner and James Concannon of Topeka, daughter Jaime Porter of Pittsburgh, PA, grandchildren, Christopher Masoner and wife, Michelle of Lawrence, Brad Porter and Hadley Armstrong of Pittsburgh, PA, Matthew Armstrong of Rochester, MN, Kate Armstrong of Augusta, ME, and 3 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 am Monday at Mt. Hope Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James W. and Wilma Porter Scholarship Fund at Washburn University School of Law, 1700 SW College Ave., 66621 to the Topeka Lions Foundation, c/o Les Carlson, 70 SW Peppertree, 66611, or to the Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29th, 66614. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at penwellgabel.com
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