Terry M. Porter

Terry M. Porter, 73

FELTON – With broken hearts, we share the passing of Terry Matthew Porter, aged 73, of Felton. He entered heaven surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Terry was born in Milford and resided in Harrington. He would later meet his wife Lee and after a five-year courtship they married in 1976. He and Lee lived on the Killen family farm where they would raise their family. He fit right in with the Killen family helping with milking cows and bailing hay.

Terry is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Lee, two sons, Matthew Terry (Laura) and Jordan Lee (Cassie), two grandchildren, Avery and Wyatt and their mother Lauren, three step-grandchildren, Brittany, Adaki and Barry, two brothers, Gary (Barb) and Richard (Margaret), and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Lola, his sister Cheryl, and brother Roy.

Terry served in the Delaware National Guard from 1966 until April 19, 1976, with most of those years as an E4 Cook. He did 99% of the cooking in the Porter home.

His greatest loves were his family, being a drummer and his garden. He retired in 2010 after 37 years from DelDOT where he had worked in the Materials and Research Department. He loved working in his greenhouse and large garden where he grew produce and sold it on his produce wagon in front of his home. He enjoyed meeting and talking with the many people that stopped by each year. Terry was involved in whatever his sons were involved in such as being a Little League baseball coach for a few years and briefly teaching Sunday School. Terry dearly loved his grandchildren and attended every event they were involved in when he was able. Terry had achieved a black belt in multiple martial arts, was a big animal lover and was dedicated to feeding the birds and squirrels daily. Although Terry struggled with many health issues during his lifetime he never gave up and fought until the very end.

“Good Times & Glory Days" is what Terry called the band members’ time in music. Terry started out as a drummer back in 1966 in a band called "The Poor Boys." As time moved on, he played in a couple of high school bands which were called “The Undecided”, and “Pandora's Box”. Pandora's Box was well liked on the school circuit. All three bands were rock bands and (with Terry being an avid Beatles fan), that style of music suited him fine. In the 80's, country music took hold, and Terry helped form a band called "Touch of Country." This band did quite well, winning the Delaware State contest in 1983 and finishing 2nd in the East Coast Country Music Championship, also in 1983. In 1984, the band released a single record which went to number 13 in the region. Time and band members moved on again, and Terry helped form another band called "Double Take" which won the Country Music Showdown during the July 4th celebration in Georgetown in 1987. In later years, Terry decided to slow down a little and retire. His love of music never left him. Several years ago, he decided to organize a "band reunion” for everyone who had worked together in all the bands through the years. They all looked forward to getting together every year. Terry was an excellent drummer, pounding that kick drum and popping that snare, keeping the band members all together in love and music. Terry’s greatest accomplishment was the love he gave and the love he received.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Barratt’s Chapel Church, 6362 Bay Road, Frederica, Del 19946, where a visitation for family and friends will begin at 11:00am. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorial contributions to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, or Brandywine Valley SPCA.

Online condolences are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com