Ricky Dewayne Porter

Ricky Dewayne Porter, 53, of Thrall, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Round Rock, Texas after a battle with cancer. Rick’s wife Holly (Turnbow) Porter and his pastor, Clint Neighbors, were by his side as he left to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rick was born July 23, 1967, in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Howard Porter, Sr. and Shirley Porter. Later, the family moved to Texas and eventually ended up in Utah where Rick graduated from Uintah High School in Vernal, Utah in 1985.  After high school, Rick attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in education and prepared to embark and long and successful career as a teacher and coach.

In November 1993, Rick’s life changed again when he met Holly Turnbow.  It was a chance meeting when one of Rick’s coaching friends brought him to Shiloh Baptist Church in Crawford, Texas to meet Holly’s best friend.  It was love at first sight between Rick and Holly and they married a few months later, on July 2, 1994.  For almost 27 years, Rick and Holly remained partners in life raising three beautiful children as his career took him around the state of Texas.

Rick spent 29 years of his life doing what he loved most, teaching and coaching young people.  Wins and losses did not matter as much to Rick as teaching the young men and women that were fortunate enough to call him teacher and coach over the years.  He truly had a calling to work with young people, and he was a positive impact on thousands of students-athletes during his career as well as the numerous assistant coaches, teachers, and administrators that he worked beside.  He had coaching stints at multiple schools over the years, including two stops at Thrall High School.  The second at Thrall, coming just before his passing.  He spent his final year of coaching as the athletic director and head football coach for the Tigers.

During his career, those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Rick were able to call him by many titles. Coach always fit him best, along with friend.  But there were those who had the chance to call him Santa. He was known for dressing up as Santa Claus near Christmastime and students, young and old, would make their way to Thrall High School to sit on his lap for a picture with old Chris Kringle. While it was clear that he did love the shear pleasure of playing the jolly old elf, the money raised from the pictures typically went to a worthy cause or a needy athletic team. Rick was always willing to help others and he genuinely enjoyed what he did. True to his devotion to others, Rick also spent 20 years as a volunteer firefighter in the various communities in which he and his family called home.  He was also a certified EMT for the past 15 years.

In 2011, Rick fought his first battle with cancer, but in true Rick Porter fashion, he met that challenge head on, with the help of his family and friends.  He fought through several bouts with cancer before finally succumbing to the disease. But even with his passing, Rick, who had a deep faith in Jesus Christ, won another victory as he joined his Heavenly Father.

Rick is survived by his wife, Holly (Turnbow) Porter of Thrall; daughter, Paige Porter Murray and husband Garrett Murray; daughter, Ashley Porter of Thrall, and son, RC Porter of Thrall; one grandson, Levi Murray of Thrall; his mother Shirlee Porter; sisters, Kathi Morehouse, and Janet Larsen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Howard R. Porter, Sr.; brother, Howard R. Porter, Jr.; and sister Nancy Porter-Butcher.

Rick will be remembered by those who loved him on Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. in a memorial service in one of his favorite places, the Thrall High School football field.  Friends and family will gather to celebrate his life and share stories of a coach, a friend, and a true Christian.  Holly has asked that everyone dress casually “as if you were going to athletics” because that is the way Rick would want it.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations of either plants or gifts to the Rick Porter Scholarship Fund.  Donations can be made at the Thrall ISD Administration Building.