A poem by mother-in-law KaySue Smith:

ROBBED

A chance encounter, a slow start and then two lives came together

Their pasts not forgotten but each ready for a new beginning

In a place where they found beauty in the sunrises

Peace in the mountains and joy in the love

That they shared

But then the Thief appeared

Oh, he slipped in so silently that at first he was hardly noticed

Little things went missing but they didn’t seem to matter

So they held each other close.

For a while they felt safe and content with the normalcy of each day  

But then He returned

And this time what was taken could not be ignored

So they held each other closer

As they went in search of help to keep the Thief at bay

Their lives now, turned upside down

  Fear crept in

Years passed while hopes and dreams were shattered

  What has been stolen has torn them apart

No longer can they hold each other close

He has taken it all

   So the Thief moves on

Memorial Funds

We have set up two memorial funds for Terry. One is at a local Denver Garden where they do a lot of outdoor concerts. We will be planting a tree in Terry’s honor so he can listen to music, one of his favorite past times. To donate to this memorial visit www.shop.hudsongardens.org. Select “Memorial Fund Donation” and when prompted indicate the name “Terry Porter”.

Or call 303-797-8565, extension 303 to make contributions via credit card.

Or you may mail a check made payable to The Hudson Gardens Tribute Program and indicate in the memo field that it should be applied to the Terry Porter Memorial Fund. Send to:

The Hudson Gardens Tribute Fund

c/o Terry Porter Memorial Fund

6115 S Santa Fe Drive

Littleton, CO 80120

OR

 You may donate to the Colorado Alzheimer’s Association in Terry’s name so that other families and suffer of this disease will be able to get the help they need. Colorado Alzheimer’s Association go to: http://bit.ly/19R0RHj.

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Terry Steven Porter, 60, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado died Sunday, June 30 at the Julia Temple Healthcare Center in Denver. Terry had been valiantly battling Alzheimer’s for the past 7 years. He was born March 2, 1953 in Huntington Park, CA to Donald E. and Phyllis Jean (Ord) Porter. Terry lived in Downey, CA and Clark, NJ before moving to Oklahoma City. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971 and the University of Oklahoma.

He began his career at Conoco and later moved into banking where he worked for Liberty Bank, Boatmen’s Bank, NationsBank and Bank of America. On July 11, 1976 his firstborn son, Matthew Steven Porter arrived, followed by second son Andrew Kyle Porter on June 30, 1979. They were his most treasured accomplishments. He was also gifted with four beautiful grandsons; Cash and Miles Porter of Houston, TX and Will and Jack Porter of Grove, OK.

He met his wife and best friend Shannon Smith Porter in 1995 and they married in 2000. Terry was transferred to Denver, Colorado in 1999 with Bank of America. While in Colorado, Terry and Shannon enjoyed all that Colorado and the great outdoors has to offer – biking, golfing, snowshoeing, volleyball, camping, hiking or attending a music or beer festival.

In addition to his parents, sons and wife, Terry will be lovingly remembered by his sisters Karen Storm (Terry) and Ellen Meyer (Monte); his daughter-in-laws Olivia Kinzie Porter of Houston and Tiffany Porter of Grove, OK; his brothers-in-law Monte Meyer of Oklahoma City, Terry Storm of Biggs, CA and Craig Smith (Ashley) of Highlands Ranch, CO, parents-in-law George and KaySue Smith of Ponca City, OK and uncle Uncle Don M. and wife Barry, Downey, CA. He was also blessed with 10 nieces and nephews; Elena Hart Rhodes (Brent), Sam Storm, Taylor Storm, James Storm, Josie Storm, MJ Storm, Rachel Meyer, Ben Meyer, Joe Meyer and Claire Smith. He was preceded in death by grandparents Marion V. and Erma E. Ord,  Grace Porter, and Jack Porter.

Terry was lucky to have many good friends in both Oklahoma City and Colorado. He will be remembered for being a devoted Sooner fan, his wonderful sense of humor, his appreciation for music, and his love of life. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in Oklahoma City in August or September as well as in Denver on August 3rd at SarahCare, 8000 E Quincy, Denver CO. Details to come. 

The family would like to thank Julia Temple Healthcare Center and Evercare Hospice for all their love and compassion. Terry's brain is being donated to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Garrison Institute on Aging with the hopes that it will help find treatments or a cure for this terrible disease.