J. Porter Tawes, 77, of Severna Park, MD, formerly of Crisfield, MD, passed away unexpectedly February 16th 2016. He was born February 2, 1939 in Crisfield; son of the late Marvin H. and Helen R. Tawes.

Porter graduated Crisfield High School in 1957 and was part of their 1957 State Champion basketball team and 1956 runner-up team. He then attended University of Maryland College Park.

Porter married Kathleen "Kay" Maddox on September 7, 1963 in Crisfield, MD. They lived in Baltimore City, Towson, and then settled in Severna Park, MD in 1978.

Porter retired from Allfirst Bank (formally 1st National Bank of MD) in 2002 as Assistant Vice President of Data Storage Administration, and previously from McCormick Spice Company at their former Light Street plant in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scoutmaster and Committee Chairman in the Troop he and his wife re-established in 1982. He especially enjoyed the week long summer camp trips, where he served as Head Cook and Chief Hammock Tester. He also enjoyed spoiling his two "grand-dogs" Fluke and Jackson. Porter enjoyed eating out and vacations with his children. He was a member of Severna Park United Methodist Church, where he regularly served as an usher.

Porter is preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Kay M. Tawes and his sister-in-law Eleanor A Tawes.

He is survived by his brother Dr. Marvin H. Tawes, Crisfield, MD, his two daughters Jennifer English (Rick Avena Jr.), Annapolis, MD, and Heather Smith (Jeff), Louisville, Kentucky, his two sons Gary Tawes (Mary), Severna Park, MD, and Brett Tawes, Severna Park, MD, seven grandchildren: Colleen, Alexa, Michael, Ashleigh, Garrett, Eva, Madelyn, and step-grandson Rick Avena III. He also leaves behind a father-in-law William B. Maddox Jr., a brother-in-law Doug Maddox (Linda) all from Jefferson, MD.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 2-4pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home with a Memorial service on Monday, February 22nd at 1pm, Severna Park United Methodist Church in Severna Park, MD. Interment February 23, 2016 at the Sunnyridge Cemetery Crisfield, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake (90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122) or the Boy Scouts of America, Baltimore Area Council (701 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21211).