The Honorable Thomas Michael “Mike” Porter, 69, of 238 Maple Acres Road (Glenwood Park) in Princeton died Monday, September 27, 2010 at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, WV. Born May 10, 1941 in Lashmeet, WV he was the son of the late Robert Jackson “Jack” Porter and Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Mills Porter. He was a 1959 graduate of Matoaka High School and attended Concord University and West Virginia Institute of Technology. Mike was the owner-operator of Associated Construction & Trucking, Inc., now known as the Thomas M. Porter Co. in Princeton. He attended Johnston’s Chapel Baptist Church in Princeton and was a U.S. Army veteran. Mike was an excellent race car driver and was a participant in the Busch Grand National Racing Circuit wining over 100 races in the late model stock division. He also broke the speed record at Daytona International Speedway. He enjoyed hunting with his grandsons and spending time with his family. Mike loved his wife, son, grandsons, daughter-in-law (who he especially loved praying with him) and his sister. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2004, 2006, and 2008 and was a current candidate to again represent the people of Mercer County. As a delegate he served on the Government Organization Committee, of which he was the current Minority Vice Chair; on the Committee on Roads and Transportation, the Veterans Affairs Committee, of which he was the current Minority Vice Chair; the Homeland Security Committee and as a member of the Legislative Intern Committee. Mike was a committed and respected public servant and worked tirelessly on many issues for the benefit of the citizens of Mercer County and was a strong proponent of the coal industry. In addition to his parents, one sister, Jane Porter Childers preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of forty-eight years, Evelyn “Ruth” Hedrick Porter of Princeton; one son, Thomas Michael “Mikey” Porter, Jr. and wife Sharon of Princeton; two grandchildren, Jacob Porter and Jared Porter both of Princeton; and one sister, Patty Porter Grace of Princeton. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Princeton Church of God, 250 Oakvale Road, Princeton with Rev. John King, Pastor Scott Hodge and Pastor Norman Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council conducting military graveside rites. Serving as pallbearers will be Rodney Sneed, Richard Preservati, Jack Hager, Rick Carrico, Don Meadows, David Eskew, John Shott and Jack Archer. Honorary pallbearers will be Hank Thomas, Jessie Guills, Patrick Lane, Linda Sumner, Ray Canterbury, James Childers, Jack Nestor, Bill Straight, Tim Armstead, William R. Romine, Patty Schoen, Craig Blair, Marshall Long, Jack Bowling, Emil Lilly, Larry Border, Cliff Moore, John R. Frazier, Walter Duke, Tom Louisos, Carol Miller, Jeff Billings , Edwin Barr and Marilyn Parsons. Friends may call at the Princeton Church of God from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Thursday, September 30, 2010.

Affiliations

There are no affiliations for The Honorable Thomas Michael "Mike" Porter