Russell Porter

Russell O'Niel Porter left this life as peacefully in death as he lived his life on earth. He was hospitalized the last month of his life with lung and heart problems and would never recover. His body was well worn, but his mind was sharp until the end. He was ready to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and see his family and friends that preceded him in leaving this earth. Russ was a sweet and gentle soul. He was a man that offered guidance, friendship and love to those he knew as family, friends, coworkers and the many people with disabilities with whom he worked throughout the last 50+ years. He had an enormous personality, never met a stranger and made everyone feel special. He was a great listener, problem solver, dreamer and visionary, nurturer, mentor, lover of people and animals and the best resume writer in Colorado. It is impossible to imagine a world without Russ Porter, but his memories will help those of us that loved him and he will comfort us until we are with him again.

Russ was born Aug. 22, 1940, to John and Madolyn Porter in Denver, Co. He was the oldest child and a good big brother to his twin brothers, Richard and Rowland, and his sister, Kathleen. He had a happy and healthy childhood in Denver and Greeley with a loving family. He loved telling stories of how he and his dog, Conoco, would go to the schoolyard as a small boy. He would hit his baseball and Conoco would go fetch the ball and return it to Russ to keep hitting and fetching, a game that lasted for hours. Russ evolved into a terrific pitcher and hitter (unusual combo) in his later years and achieved many accolades for his talent in baseball. He also told the story of his Mom giving him money to go to the corner grocery store with his little red wagon while his Dad was in WW2. He was 5 years old. He learned responsibility early and was always a responsible man who took his family and work seriously, probably as a result of those early responsibilities, and that little red wagon.

Russ married his high school sweetheart, Luron Brown, and had two daughters of whom he was very proud, Jonna (Jay) Seifert and Kristen (Mark) Colonell, all of Littleton, Co. He also leaves four grandchildren: Morgan and Torrie Seifert and Brandon and Blake Colonell.

Russ joined the Army for two years when he was 19 years old. He received his Bachelor's degree in Journalism and his Master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. For many years, Russ was a faithful Kiwanis member and a member of the Foothills Men's Golf Club (president of both organizations). He was a Metro Senior Golf Club member for the past several years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and had planned on becoming a 33rd degree after retirement. Russ was a longtime donor for Bonfil's Blood Center where he donated gallons and gallons of blood. He had planned to be an organ donor upon his death, but that was not possible. You did your share, Porter, with all the blood you donated through the years.

On a lightly snowy day on Jan. 1, 1999, Russ Porter and Jill Snyder married at Red Rocks Amphitheater. After knowing each other since 1971, with Russ being Jill's supervisor for several years, years of friendship, business partners, lovers and marriage partners, Russ was an awesome friend and husband. Russ loved Jill's children as his own, and has been a great stepfather to Erica (Jeff) Moeller, Littleton; Melissa (Casey) Dunlap, Aurora; and Caleb (Emily Hale) Notz, Littleton, and they loved him in return. Russ and Jill have been awaiting the birth of their first grandchild together in August. She will have the most wonderful guardian angel in the grandpa she didn't get to know, but I am sure he will take very good care of her. Russ' furkids are dogs Kevin BrownBear and Katie Fitzgerald; cats Steven, Mona Lisa, Boss Garcia, and Charlotte; birds Bluebird of Happiness and Light Blue Bird; and Ozark, a 40+ year old turtle. He has already reunited with his beloved golden retriever, Sandy, his 26 pound cat, Buck, many other dogs and cats, and, of course, Conoco.

Russ had many passions: his family and friends, coworkers at Ft. Logan Mental Health Center and Dept. of Institutions, DVR, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Center, and the Vets and VA Hospital staff where he worked as a Vocational Specialist. He was a lifelong advocate for people with mental and physical disabilities. There were many occasions where his heart broke for some of the sadness and injustices many of these folks experienced daily.

Russ was an exceptional golfer and loved the game. He also loved going to and watching Broncos games, the Rockies and the Nuggets (until they fired Coach George Karl). He loved a cold Coors brewsky, Baskin-Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream, the series Homeland, Blacklist, 24, and Breaking Bad. He watched the movies Lethal Weapon (all of them), Tin Cup, Kindergarten Cop and 7 Days/6 Nights so many times they cannot be counted. He was an avid reader (especially James Patterson), loved a good joke and was as handsome as ever until the day he died.

Russ leaves behind many people who loved and adored him. Russ leaves behind his wife, Jill Snyder Porter; stepchildren Erica (Jeff) Moeller, Melissa (Casey) Dunlap and Caleb (Emily Hale) Notz; brother Richard (Connie) Porter, sister Kathleen Porter; children Jonna (Jay) Seifert, Kristen (Mark) Colonell; four grandchildren Morgan and Torrie Seifert and Brandon and Blake Colonell. Russ also leaves sister-in-laws Gayle Sumner, NM; and Sharran Porter, AZ, stepsister Kasia Stevens, Penrose, Co., many cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. It would be impossible to acknowledge the list of the many people who are so special to Russ, but you know who you are. He has joined his parents, brother Rowland, special uncles Rex and Harlan; friends Duane Reitz, Maury Hilty, Nate Wells, Dick Hoover and many others; and many furkids. Russ had very special care during his last month of life while in the hospital. Thank you so much to his loving and compassionate nurses Kelli, Renee, Judy, Cindy and Gloria for the wonderful care you provided him.

Services for Russ will be on Friday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, from 2-4 pm at Hudson Gardens Inn; 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, Co. 80120.

Please do not send flowers. If you want to honor Russ, please be compassionate and helpful to our combat veterans who have fought so many battles for us and continue their own personal struggles each day.

Russ, you already had the soul of an angel and now you can finish some of the work you started here on Mother Earth. Also, let the rounds of golf begin!

RIP, sweet Russ!