Obituary of James R. Porter

James (Jim) Rudolph Porter, age 86, passed away, Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, TN. Jim was born in Coeburn, VA and is the son of the late Theodore (Statch) and Minnie George Waldron Porter of Coeburn. He was preceded in death by a brother, C. L. (Lindy) Porter also of Coeburn. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Helen Large Porter, daughters Rebecca Porter Sykes and husband Larry of Lebanon, VA and Jamie Porter Claypool and husband John of Wytheville, VA. The pride and joy of his life were his five grandchildren: Kelsey Elaine Sykes, James Ronald Sykes, Ryan Matthew Claypool, Mary Katherine Claypool, and John David Claypool. Also surviving are two sisters, Bobbie Porter Morris, of Big Stone Gap, VA and Shirley Porter Gillenwater of Coeburn, VA plus several nieces and nephews. Jim is of the Baptist faith and has been a member of Wytheville Baptist Church since 1967; he was a lifetime deacon. Jim attended Coeburn High School and afterwards enlisted in the Paratroopers – 83rd Airborne Division and was stationed at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. He was employed as a purchasing agent for Erwin Supply Company, Radford Army Ammunition Plant, and Wythe County Community Hospital. In 1979 he established, owned, and operated Community Health Care, Inc. in Wytheville before retiring in 2001. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the Wytheville Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. Dr. Don Large and the Rev. Danny Collins officiating. Music will be provided by Kelsey Sykes, niece Minnie Lynn Gillenwater-Bates, and Jim Spraker. Graveside services will follow at the West End Cemetery in Wytheville. Special thanks to care givers Luis Castro, Zanah McCoury, and Cindy Bradberry. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jack Kennedy, Bob Gillenwater, Charlie Bill Chase, Joe Chase, Jerry Chase, James White, Scott White, Bill White, John White, Marty Large, and Andrew James Large. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wytheville Baptist Church, 205 Church Street, Wytheville, VA 24382. Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.