Ike Porter

John Isaac "Ike" Porter went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 2, 2026. He was born in Henderson, Texas on September 15, 1940, to John Seale Porter and Victoria Jeanette Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Roxy White, in 2025.

Ike graduated from Henderson High School in 1958 and began college at Texas A&M. After a year, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he trained for the Army Security Agency. He spent the next two years with this agency in Germany. When his tour ended, he first entered Kilgore Junior College and then Lamar University to finish his education. He was hired by Marathon Oil Company in Houston where he remained until he retired. His career with the company included locations in other countries such as Tripoli, Libya, Tunis, Tunisia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. He worked as either an accountant or auditor for the national oil companies of these countries.

He married Doris Faye Abel on June 5, 1971, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Crawford, Texas. They were blessed with two daughters; Amy Miller (Mark) and Melissa Angus (Edward) and five granddaughters; Erin Neskora (Pierce), Kathryn Muehsler, Nina Hammitt, Shelby and Cameron Miller. He is also survived by a niece Lerisa LeBlanc, a great nephew, Jairus Driggars and numerous Porter and Smith cousins. After their marriage and move to Tomball from Houston, Ike was confirmed into the Lutheran Church where he then served on the church council, and as an Elder and President of the church. After his retirement to Brenham, he also served as Treasurer of the Rehburg Lutheran church. He has been a member of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Brenham for the past few years.

Ike enjoyed traveling with family or friends to find interesting historical locations. This led to becoming an avid genealogist for his Porter and Smith families. He also enjoyed monthly card parties with friends and every moment he could spend with his granddaughters. In his 70's, he played with his youngest granddaughter on the floor for hours and would do whitewater rafting and ziplining through the Smokies with the older girls.

A visitation for Ike will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel located at 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 140 Prairie Chapel Road, Crawford, Texas. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be; Mark Miller, Ed Angus, Pierce Neskora, Gary Howze, Nolan Lerche and John Metcalf. Honorary pallbearers include Arlin Naegeli and Berry Lee Malkey.

Memorial contributions in Ike's honor may be made to: Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Brenham, Texas or St. Paul Lutheran Church, Crawford, Texas.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com