Funeral services for Mr. Jerry M. Porter, age 73 of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Rehobeth United Methodist Church with Reverend Scott Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mr. Porter passed away on Sunday afternoon, June 8, 2008 at his home near Carthage.

Jerry Martin Porter was born September 26, 1934 in Carthage, Texas to Martin Luther Porter and Lavenia Biggs Dickinson. Mr. Porter graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1952. He served in the United States Army in the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions. He worked in communications for Braniff International for 24 years, retiring in 1982. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends and collecting toy trains and toy cars. Mr. Porter served on the Riderville Water Supply Board and the Panola County Appraisal District Board for many years. Mr. Porter moved back to Carthage in 1982 from the Dallas / Fort Worth area and was a member of Rehobeth United Methodist Church. He married Deborah Lynne Cullars on July 3, 1992 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Robbie Lee Porter.

Mr. Porter is survived by his wife, Debbie Porter of Carthage; two sons, Sambo Porter of Carthage and Drew Douget and wife Sara of North Carolina; four daughters, Darlene Porter Handy and husband Dave of Grand Prairie, Teresa Porter Hitt of Alvarado, Laura Kiper and husband Kevin of Carthage, and Stacy Hathaway and husband Thomas of Carthage; one brother, Jimmy Paul Dickinson and wife Barbara of Rockwall; thirteen grandchildren, Kristen, Dustin, Brandon, Brian, Jake, Josh, Slater, Justin, Lucas, Zach, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Lyndsay; and two great-grandchildren, Seth and Cade. Numerous cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. Porter.

Serving as pallbearers are Dustin Porter, Jake Porter, Brian Hull, Brandon Hitt, Joshua Handy, and Slater Rainwater. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Justin Kiper, Lucas Porter, Zach Kiper, and Jacob Kiper.

If desired, memorials may be made to Rehobeth U.M.C. Youth Ministry, 126 C.R. 207, Carthage, TX 75633 or The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.