James Porter

Burlington - James Leon Porter, 75, passed away Friday, January 24, 2014 after a brief illness at UNC Memorial Hospital. He was born in Oconee County, SC to the late William Earl Porter, Sr. and the late Alice Madden Porter, and was the husband of 52 years to Ellen Terrell Porter who survives. He was a resident of Burlington, NC since 1958. Mr. Porter was an employee of Syke's Machine Shop 1956-1966 and then formed Porter Construction Company and was owner of the former Donut Grill and 6 to 1 Mini Mart in Graham, NC. Leon was of the Church of God Faith. Survivors other than his wife, Ellen of the home, include his daughter, Sondra Porter Komada and husband, Dr. Michael Komada of Chapel Hill, NC. Leon was blessed with three loving grandchildren, Leah, student at Virginia Tech, and Alex and Anna Grace, both of Chapel Hill; brothers, Roger Dean Porter and William Earl Porter, Jr.; sisters, Edalene Kelley all of Seneca, SC, Pat Deaton of Walhalla, SC and Genelle Tate of Lincolnton, NC; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Joey Porter and brothers, Jerry, Harrison, Rupert, Cleo and Tommy. The funeral service will be held 4:00pm Monday, January 27, 2014 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Tommy Madden, Leon's cousin. The family will receive friends from 3-4pm Monday prior to the service at Lowe Funeral Home and other times at the home. There will be a private burial held Tuesday at Alamance Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org/donate or 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.