Roger Porter; 70, passed away July 11 after illness
Pub Date: 8/1/2008
By Cole Boehler
Roger Burr Porter, 70, of Great Falls, died of natural causes Friday, July 11 at a local hospital. He had been dealing with an array of health issues since the autumn of last year.
He was the sales manager and "society editor" with the Montana Tavern Times since 1996 and was instrumental in its continued success.
Roger was helping out his friend, Bill Lindsey, with some bookkeeping at the Little Chicago in Great Falls when he submitted an article to the Tavern Times on the local Great Falls pool and darts scene. It was well written and we asked him for mor
Soon he was involved in advertising sales, then became sales manager while his reporting duties expanded.
Roger had a very social nature so he was a natural as the Times' "society editor" as he attended, photographed and covered most of the hospitality business associations' charitable and social functions. He also penned a monthly column that had an irreverently humorous bent and was a popular item with readers, as well as the regular "Tavern Chat" feature and occasional business owner profiles.
He provided 12 years of unstinting service to the Tavern Times and to the 2,400 licensed hospitality business across Montana. That is why he was known by more than a few as "Mr. Tavern Times."
Roger was a solid writer, decent photographer and diligent advertising sales representative who inevitably converted his customers and his colleagues to his friends. They will all miss him greatly.
Visitation was 5 to 7 p.m. July 16 at Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home. A funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. July 17 at the funeral home, with burial in Missoula at a later date.
Roger and his wife Karen had three children, daughters Palma Wolke of Boise, Idaho'; Heather Porter (Bill Gregoire) of Great Falls, and a son, Nicholas (Lynne) Porter of Great Falls. He is also survived by a brother, George Porter of Houston, Texas'; several cousins, and his special friend Bev Lewis, who was very dedicated in his final days.
Roger was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Rae Porter, who died of cancer in 2003'; and his parents.
Roger was born in Helena June 2, 1938, the son of Roger G. and Patricia L. Porter. Except for two years spent in Boise during World War II, he spent all his young life in Helena, graduating from Helena High School in 1956.
Roger moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. On Sept. 17, 1960, he married Karen Rae Bredberg.
While attending school, he worked as a stock clerk for the Missoula Mercantile Co. Following graduation, he pursued post-graduate work and taught in the Missoula school system. In 1964, he returned to the Missoula Mercantile as a management trainee. After his training, he assumed the buyer position and then moved on to merchandise manager.
In 1972, he left the Missoula Mercantile as general sales manager to pursue other retail opportunities. Later that year, he moved to Great Falls and formed a partnership that purchased Duvals, Inc. In 1976, he took a short sabbatical, after which he pursued numerous endeavors.
In 1996, he became associated with Continental Publications Management (later known as Continental Communications) in Butte as sales director and contributing editor for its monthly trade journal, the Montana Tavern Times.
During his lifetime, he was a member of many organizations, including the Shrine, Masons, Meadow Lark Country Club and Great Falls Downtown Business Council.
Roger and Karen were blessed with many interesting and varied experiences during their 43 years together. They are now joined once more for all eternity.
Memorials are suggested to Peace Hospice of Great Falls.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, August, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.