Obituary of Christopher Porter

CHRISTOPHER ALAN PORTER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (BORN IN PRATT, KANSAS) FEBRUARY 11, 1957 – JUNE 13, 2023 (66 YEARS OLD) Preceded in death by: Robert Howard Porter (Father) 1930-1987 of St. Francis, Minnesota Alex Lindberg (Nephew) from Huntsville, Alabama Survived by: Karen Porter (Christopher) of Tampa, Florida (Mother) William David Porter of Rockport, Texas (Brother) and his wife Vicki (Jasperson Berkman) Porter of Rockport Texas Cinthia Ann (Porter) Tilbury of Malibu, California (Sister) James Robert Porter of Isanti, Minnesota (Brother) and his wife Nancy (Schmieder) Porter of Isanti, Minnesota Linda Kay (Porter) Lindberg of Huntsville, Alabama (Sister) and her husband John Walter Lindberg of Huntsville, Alabama (both are originally from St. Francis, Minnesota) and their three sons and two grandchildren The entire Porter family lived for many years in the St. Francis area; all siblings are graduates of St. Francis (Minnesota) High School in the 1970s--each a year apart. Although they lived far from it, they all attended Woodbury Baptist Church where Chris and his siblings all sang in the King’s Choralaires youth choir. Chris also performed in the St. Paul Minnesota SPEBSQSA barbershop chorus with father Bob and brother Dave/Bill. During his years at St. Francis, Chris excelled academically while he was involved in many sports and clubs. He graduated fifth in his 1975 class. He was on the Varsity wrestling, football and baseball teams. He created the squad of cheerleaders supporting the Varsity girls’ volleyball team. He was a Junior Class Officer and Homecoming royalty that year. He joined the Science club, Speech club and Drama club where he was in the school plays. His most accomplished activity was 2 probably his Concert Choir participation. He had a beautiful voice. That choir went on a performing tour of Europe in 1974; Chris did not intend to go until he successfully sold so many candy bars in the fundraiser that he covered his trip costs. After high school, Chris graduated from Hennepin Technical School in Champlin, Minnesota, with a certificate in Sheet Metal Working. He moved to Canton, Ohio, and then Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Brownsville, Texas, for several years where he was hired to erect grain elevators. Chris joined the Massillon, Ohio, YMCA where he started playing racquetball, including tournaments, as the sport was really ramping up. He taught sister Cindy to play in about 1979 and she is not only a many-time national champion, but is also on several boards and runs a racquetball non-profit for older racquetball players. She will be forever grateful for that small act of kindness that changed the course of her life forever. At one point, almost the entire Porter family played a little racquetball, thanks to Chris. Back in Minnesota, Chris moved on to playing serious Disc Golf, competing most weekends in pro and amateur tournaments until 2021. He is a 40-year member of the Minnesota Frisbee Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2013. He particularly advocated for ladies to play by paying league fees for any women needing a little encouragement to join in the fun. His nickname was House (for Porterhouse). His family knows he would have appreciated your donations to Disc Golf organizations and causes in lieu of flowers or other thoughtful memorial actions. Contact the Minnesota Frisbee Association (minnesotafrisbeeassociation.com), or the Pro Disc Golf Association through their pdga.com website for information on a memorial or two for Chris in the next months, including a possible fundraiser. Visit the Blue Ribbon Pines Disc Golf Course in East Bethel for Minnesota Frisbee Association Hall of Fame displays. He would love for you to try disc golf if you have not yet had the pleasure. He was particularly proud of his set work on a few movies—notably Grumpy Old Men, Grumpier Old Men and A Simple Plan. After working many years at Imagin Studios (imaginstudios.com) in Minneapolis creating trade show stage displays and other creative backdrops and sets, he retired last year at 65. He was the go-to guy if anything needed to be created quickly out of wood. Chris was looking forward to retirement. He started his career as a sheet metal worker for Heating and Air Conditioning companies, but he learned many trades. 3 Roofing, heavy construction, finishing carpentry, cabinetmaking, millwork, and sculpture art were a few of his skills. His health started to deteriorate a few years ago and it may have been his heart failing that caused his death. He died suddenly, but there were signs. Chris had many friends, but kept to himself a lot, never owning a cell phone or computer. He was smart, funny, clever, talented, artistic and a great singer. His death leaves a hole in the Porter family and he will be missed until they all meet up with him again in heaven. If you would like to contact Chris’ family, please email Cindy Porter Tilbury at cindy.tilbury@att.net.