- Date Of Birth: July 22, 1929
- Date Of Death: July 25, 2012
- State: Texas
July 22, 1929 – July 25, 2012
MSgt. Paul L. Porterfield, USAF (ret.) passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at the age of 83. MSgt. Porterfield was born in Imboden, AR the son of the late Arthur Harrison Porterfield and Hollie Emmaline (Cozart) Porterfield, on July 22, 1929. He was a Veteran of the USAF serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. MSgt. Porterfield retired early from the USAF at age 41 due to a back injury which left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He was raised in the Church of Christ religion, where his dad was a preacher. He later converted to Roman Catholicism where he found great solace in his religion. As a child, he loved fishing, hunting, singing with his siblings, playing the guitar and ukulele. He was a star quarterback for his high school football team in Poplar Bluff, MO, and then later star football player for his college team at Drake University. Paul also loved playing bridge, poker and almost any card game that exists. He was a poet and published a book of poems mostly about his childhood. More recently he was captivated with bingo, rarely missed a game, and focused completely on winning every game he played. He is predeceased by 6 brothers and 3 sisters. He had four children with his first wife; Craig (Alta) Porterfield of Camden, DE, Duane Porterfield of Romulus, NY, Paula Porterfield-Izzo of Fernandina Beach, Fl and Denise (Michael) Freeman of Walton NY. He is pre-deceased by his son-in-law, Gary Izzo. He has four beloved grandchildren, Aleine Porterfield of Wilmington DE, Brian Porterfield of Camden DE, and Michael and Emmaline Freeman of Walton NY. He later married Grace Booker who passed away in December 1997. He is survived by their child, Sherilyn Porterfield (Craig) Todd and one beloved granddaughter, Caitlyn Sanders all from St. Louis, MO. He is also survived by the following step-children; Jerry (Dianne) Thomas, Tom (Diana) Thomas, Leanne (Russell) Loftin. He was pre-deceased by his step-daughter Carole (Sonny) King. He has five beloved grandchildren, Kevin & Kyle Thomas, Sharon Allen, Russell King and Jennifer Loftin. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his special friends, Anne and Will Brunet. Paul will always be remembered by his humor, love of music and his never ending singing. He will be greatly missed by all.
