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John David Porter

August 17, 1930 - June 15, 2025
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Michael Porter

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Posted by:

Michael Porter

Report Obit

John David Porter

August 17, 1930 - June 15, 2025

John David Porter, 94, passed away on June 15, 2025, in Vallejo, California. Born on August 17, 1930, in Pittsfield, Illinois, John lived a long and thoughtful life marked by intellectual curiosity, deep personal growth, and love for his family and community.

John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics from Phillips University in 1958. He later pursued graduate studies in actuarial science at Occidental College. He spent most of his career working in various aspects of Human Resources. This included three years at an actuarial consulting firm; fifteen years with the University of California’s University-Wide Administration, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory; ten years at the Stanford Research Institute; and three years with an engineering firm in Vancouver, Canada.

From 1951 to 1955, John served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a weatherman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. While proud of his military service, he did not define himself by it.

In 1970, John and his beloved wife Jacqueline Ann Porter (née Dawson) chose to leave formal religious institutions behind in favor of a more spiritual path. In 2001, they joined Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation where they found a vibrant community that enriched their lives deeply. Together they led services, chaired committees, and hosted numerous Adult Religious Education classes in their home—including two poetry groups that met twice monthly for many years. Their involvement left a lasting imprint on the congregation and fostered many cherished friendships.

John was a man of quiet depth—tall, serious, thoughtful—yet capable of great playfulness and warmth. He was  an excellent communicator and expressed himself through writing stories and poems, self publishing 3 books in his later years.

When asked, he said that marrying Jackie was the best decision he ever made. Their partnership was one of mutual respect and shared values—a foundation that supported their family through decades of life’s joys and challenges.

John is survived by his son Michael Porter and wife Susan Smith; daughter Kimberly Porter-Leite and wife Dulcinea Leite; granddaughter Jennifer Shoultes; grandson James Graham and wife Jennifer Graham; great-grandson George Shoultes; brother Calvin Porter and wife Marilyn Porter.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline Ann Porter; sons John David Porter (and wife Lilla) and James Andrew Porter; parents Calvin Reese Porter and Mary Entrikin Porter; brother Robert Reese Porter (and wife Shirley).

John’s legacy lives on through those who knew him—as a thinker, writer, friend, father, grandfather—and as someone who never stopped growing or caring deeply about others. A Memorial Service will be held on August 16, 2025, at 01:00 PM at Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Church 2950 Washington Blvd Fremont

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Condolences 2

B. Kim Barnes John and Jackie were dear friends for many years. I met John at Livermore Lab where he was a guide and a mentor to me. Before long the four of us, with my late husband, Don Bryant, became close. We celebrated many occasions together and deeply enjoyed one another's company. One of my favorite memories of John was that he wrote a beautiful poem for us after we lost our home in the Oakland fire. The poem celebrated Don's creative work in the garden and our recovery from the loss. I was inspired by both of them to be creative and John's writing late in his life has been a model for me as I negotiate this stage of life. I'm glad I was able to see him in the last years of his life and wish I had spent more time with him. He was a sort of Renaissance man and a loving husband, father, and friend. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
about 21 hours ago

Ed Claassen Mike, Thank you for the rich and sweeping remembrance of John. Though I know most of his story from our long friendship, I first met John when he joined our team at H A Simons in Vancouver, BC to develop a comprehensive management development program. He was an incredible teammate and resource! My wife, Marea, and Jackie also formed a deep friendship, that later led them to create and lead a series of workshops for women that explored the spiritual dimensions of the authentic feminine. It was a big loss for me when John and Jackie decided to return to California. When a recession hit the consulting engineering business a few years later, John pointed me toward a job at SRI in Menlo Park and we eventually reunited there until his retirement. I always experienced John as thoughtful and collaborative in whatever we took on. And more than that, he was always a true friend. He and Jackie loved to celebrate any occasion that reaffirmed their choice to celebrate life fully, be it birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or any meaningful event. There are lots of rich memories of time spent with John and Jackie. I am blessed that he was a significant part of my life!
1 day ago

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