Posted: July 28, 2009 |(0) Comments

John Hamlin "Jack" Porter of Columbus, N.C., formerly of Menomonee Falls, died June 15, 2009, at age 87.

He was born March 4, 1922, to Arthur B. and Madeleine H. Porter of Salem, Mass., and was a graduate of Tufts College with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.

After graduating in 1943, he entered World War II military service with the 302nd Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, serving in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany and Czechoslovakia. In Europe, he advanced to master sergeant, receiving the Bronze Star Medal and four battle stars. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 1962, advancing to the rank of 1st lieutenant in the Chemical Corps Reserve.

After the war, Jack was employed by the A.C. Lawrence Leather Co. in Peabody, Mass., as a research and development chemist. He transferred to their North Carolina plant in 1947, and married Helen Meak Smith of Forest City, N.C. They returned to Massachusetts, where he was employed by the B.B. Chemical Co., transferring to their Milwaukee office in 1950. From 1956 until his retirement in 1986, Jack was a leather finish chemist and salesman for Prime Leather Finishes in Milwaukee and Pewaukee, for whom he serviced clients throughout the U.S., England, Ireland and South America.

Jack was especially proud of his service to the Lions Club, an organization he served tirelessly for more than 55 years in Menomonee Falls and Columbus, N.C. He was president of both clubs.

In Wisconsin, Jack was extremely active with the YMCA's Indian Guides program, holding countless statewide and national leadership posts. He was also a member of Lincoln Lodge No. 183 F&AM, a charter member of the Menomonee Falls Historical Society, and church steward and head usher at Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church in Menomonee Falls.

He was accepted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, the nation's oldest hereditary military service fraternity, founded by George Washington and his generals at the close of the Revolutionary War.

Jack was also a lifelong seasonal resident of Alton Bay, N.H., where the family has maintained a "camp" on Lake Winnipesaukee for more than 70 years. He was a prolific oil and watercolor painter.

He is survived by his second wife, Fern (Goode); brother, David B. Porter of Concord, Mass.; children, Christopher J. Porter of Epsom, N.H., Jeffrey S. Porter of Exton, Penn., Jennifer M. Porter of Minneapolis, Minn.; stepsons, three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen (Smith) in 1989.

A memorial service will be held July 25, at the Tryon, N.C., Presbyterian Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Columbus Lions Club.