John Bentley Porter, Sr., 84, was born at home in the Govans section of Baltimore to Robert Washington Porter and Elsie May (Snyder) Porter, January 10, 1934--the sixth of nine children and the youngest son.

He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, where he served as an acolyte. In later years he attended St. John the Evangelist Church in Severna Park. He was a graduate of Woodbourne Elementary, Roland Park Jr. High, and Baltimore City College High School (Class of February 1953). He attended the Johns Hopkins School of Engineering.

Among activities listed in his high school yearbook are varsity baseball (3d base) and Dance Committee (Co-chair of the Victory Hop)—sports and music, two loves of his life. Through the years get-togethers with family and the Govans Gang—school chums from his youth—were fun occasions.

In the late fifties he sang barbershop with the Chorus of the Chesapeake. Much later when aphasia had robbed him of speech, he could still sing multiple verses of his favorite Christmas carols. The Orioles and Colts were his teams, and when the Colts left Baltimore . . . well, it was a sad day. He enjoyed coaching Green Hornets baseball and later assisting with traveling soccer teams. He served as treasurer of the Severna Park Greater Athletic Organization during the time the Club House was built for the Harvey Garcelon Sports Complex at Kinder Park.

After high school John joined the U.S. Army (the fifth Porter son to serve in the military). While there he studied electronics, and after his discharge, began his engineering career at the Martin Marietta Aerospace Division in Middle River, MD. One project at Martins involved the testing and preparation of astronauts for space travel. He treasured the collection of signed photos given to him with thanks from those who occupied Martins simulated space capsule—among them, Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into space. During the Lifting Body Project, a photo on the cover of Aviation Week Magazine shows John in the cockpit of the fixed-wing space craft.

John's 13-year career at Martins ended when the division moved to Denver. The Rocky Mountains couldn't compete in his estimation with the lure of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishing—for rockfish in particular-- was his passion. He reeled in several citation winners.

From 1968 to 1994, John was an engineering specialist with the Department of Defense. He considered their work a service to the country.

In 1966 John married Louise Anne Sutton. They were blessed with sons, John B, Jr. and James Patrick, and grandchildren Danielle LaPier, Lauren Anne, John B. III, and Greysen Olivia.

John was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his siblings: brothers James Edward, Robert Ebert, Charles Alexander, Harry Arthur, and sisters Elsie Adelaide, Mary Cecilia, and Rita Jean.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, two sons, four grandchildren, his sister June Marie Shipley, brothers- and sisters-in law, and 35 nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD, 21146. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 11am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD, 21146. Burial is to follow to Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD, 21032.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. John the Evangelist Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146; or to The Greater Severna Park Athletic Association at G.S.P.A.A. - P. O. Box 643 - Severna Park, MD 21146; or to a charity of your choice.