John Bell Porter, 86, of Severna Park, died of natural causes after a long illness March 15 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Severna Park, where he was one of the original residents.

Mr. Porter was born July 13, 1918, in Garysberg, N.C., and reared in Dinwiddie County, Va. His home was in San Diego, Calif., before he moved to Severna Park in 1997.

He entered the Navy in 1940 in Norfolk, Va. After retirement, he worked for the San Diego Public School system for 25 years as a custodian.

He enjoyed gardening and bird watching.

In 1945 he married Una Martha Swanson in Fall River, Mass. Mrs. Porter died in 1993.

Surviving are one daughter, Merla Kae Porter Tootle of Severna Park; one brother, Richard Porter of Petersburg, Va.; one sister, Odell Carr of Virginia Beach, Va.; two grandson; and one great-grandson.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com.

As published in The Capital Newspaper on 3/17/2005