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He Only Takes the Best
God saw that he was getting tired, a cure was not to be
So, He put His arms around him and whispered,
"Dick come home with me."
With tearful eyes, we watched him suffer,
and saw him fade away.
Although we loved him dearly,
we could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hardworking hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes “The Best”
Richard E. Porte
June 19, 1945 ~ September 4, 2022 (age 77)
Richard Edward “Dick” Porte passed away on September 4, 2022, at the age of 77. He died peacefully in his daughter’s home in Largo, FL, under the compassionate care of Suncoast Hospice and surrounded by his supportive and loving family.
Dick was born in a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. As a child he was in the first group of kids to receive the Polio vaccine directly from the developer Dr Jonas Salk (a story he loved to tell everyone he met). Later his family moved to Lakeland in 1953 where he attended Lime Street Elementary, SW Junior High and Lakeland High school (class of 1963). He made many close friendships that have endured and remained strong 68 years later.
Dick was drafted into the US Army in 1966. He served with both the 35th Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device and the Army Commendation medals for his devoted duty, personal bravery, professional leadership, and honorable service during the Vietnam War. He left the military with the rank of Sergeant in 1969.
Following his military service, Dick began a 40-year career marketing juice and other beverage products to the food service industry, both domestically and internationally. Because of the person that he was, many of his business contacts turned into lifelong friendships that have spanned decades. “A class act, a true gentleman, a great communicator, a great connector, a generous person, a lovely man, a devoted friend, father and Uncle, a genuinely great guy and a kind-hearted human” was how he was described by everyone who knew or had the honor of meeting him. He will be remembered as the life of the party with a great smile that would light up a room and an infectious laugh that would bring joy to others.
Dick was a very fit and active person well into his 70’s. In his youth he played baseball and was a member of a Lakeland bicycle club that went on 100-mile rides around the state. Later his hobbies included softball, running Lake Hollingsworth, boating, playing tennis and golf. He loved a good beach day and some of his favorite places to visit with friends and family were Anna Maria Island, Indian Rocks Beach and New Zealand. He enjoyed taking care of things whether it be his appearance, his car, his home, or his yard which were always beautifully and perfectly presented.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Rita Porte along with his brother John. He is survived by his daughter Shan, his son-in-law Kleber, his granddaughter Bella, his nephew Michael and Michael’s wife Andrea and daughters Jensen and Ellery.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022, at Lakeland Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 10-11am and services will begin at 11am. Military services will follow at The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, starting at 2:30pm. All are welcome to attend both ceremonies.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to either Suncoast Hospice (for taking such great care of Dick in his final days) or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital (one of Dick’s favorite charities).
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James Ryer
I knew Dick fairly well at LHS, but it wasn't until much later in life that we bonded - speaking openly over lunch one day about our shared combat experience in Vietnam. Several years followed where we would frequently have lunch together - dining at many of Lakeland's finer dining establishments (and some slightly less so). Always, we had fun. I, too, found Dick to be kind, caring, generous and empathetic. Someone you truly enjoyed spending time with. I shall miss those lunch conversations very much. May he rest in.peace.
Chuck Bent
During my two years at LHS I knew who Dick was but didn't "know" him. Years later when our class started to do the Saturday morning breakfasts we struck up a converstation one day and both Davette and I found him very pleasent to talk to and we often shared causual conversations. And yes, that smile was always there. In these later years he was a true "Southern Gentleman" that you were always glad to see. He will be missed but always remembered by all who knew him...
Valeria Cooper (Jorn)
I've known Dick since years at Lime Street Elementary. We would sit together at many of the '63 LHS lunches. He was always a gentleman and kind. I will endear our time together and see him again some day.. Save me a chair next to you in Heaven for we will have much glory there.
Bob Harter
I knew Dick from Southwest Jr High thru LHS. I didn't see him for years except at class reunions, but when we started having our monthly breakfasts or lunches, he became a regular. It was always great to catch up on what was happening in his life. We would go on a road trip with Don Brown to the Orlando area to have lunch with Marty Beaman & Tom Byers. About 20 months ago, I saw signs of dementia in Dick, so a group of us starting having get togethers for lunch to keep an eye on him. Royce Macdonald, Zip Sebring, Don Brown & Conner Trent & some of his co-workers from Florida Citrus Mutual all took a part in spending time with Dick. Unfortunately the dementia got worse, & he was in 2 different facilities in Lakeland before his daughter moved him to a facility near her in Largo. We still got to visit him there & go out to lunch, but it was evident that he was steadily declining. He had surgery for a life threatening blood clot on the brain but delevoped an infection that his body was unable to recover from. I got to see him on a Saturday & took him a prayer quilt my wife supplied from our church with knots tied saying prayers for Dick. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4th, 2022, my 77th birthday. Dick was a true gentleman & a great friend, & he will truly be missed by those of us that had the pleasure of knowing him. RIP, Dick. Definitely a life well lived.
Sherry Woods (Russell)
Although I graduated from LHS in 1966, I got to know Dick through my husband, Bill Russell (LHS Class of 63). Dick attended many of the class Reunions and breakfasts/lunches and I gradually came to know what a kind, sweet man he was. Always a smile on his face. He was truly a gentleman and a gentle man. Rest peacefully and know that you will be missed by many.
Dennis Mason
I knew Dick from Lakeland Senior but became more acquainted when we started the LHS lunches and breakfasts. Like all have said a true gentleman and always willing to help with reunion plans and work for the Class of 63.
We enjoyed a number of get togethers but think our Christmas parties are some stand outs. We will have good memories when we think of Dick. He loved to bring goodies from Panera , he told Jul " I don't cook but I will be happy to stop by Panera and get some goodies.
Rest In Peace.
Dennis Mason