James Lawrence Porter was born the son of Edgar Uzelian Porter and Ossie Ola Reed Porter on March 27, 1929, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and departed this life on March 21, 2025, in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 95.
He was united in marriage on August 26, 1950, to Imogene Iris Baty. They remained married over 67 years.
He is survived by two children, Jamie Read and husband Vernon of Portland, Oregon, and Myron Porter and wife Rebecca of Portland, Oregon; two brothers—Melvin Porter and wife Christy of Licking, Missouri, and Leon Porter and his wife Connie of Willow Springs, Missouri; three grandchildren—Gareth Porter of McMinnville, Oregon, Blake Porter of Everett, Washington, and Micah Read of Portland, Oregon; one step-granddaughter—Karen Read of Portland, Oregon; one great-grandchild—Lance Porter of Portland, Oregon; many nieces and nephews and other relatives, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and a brother—Kathleen Schutt, Maxine Cook, J.D. (Jeffrey Denford) Porter and Betty Lou Humphries; two half-brothers— Clyde Porter and Virgil Porter; and one grandson— Zachary Porter.
James Lawrence Porter was called ‘Wort’ during his four years at Welcome Hill School, west of Mammoth Spring. He then attended four years at Mammoth Spring Elementary. He worked at Jack Capshaw’s gas station and Beatty Oil in Thayer while living with his oldest sister Kathleen until he turned 20. He was called ‘Shorty’ or ‘Smooth Sailing’ when he began working for Martin Plockberger’s candy and notion business in 1949, driving a candy truck with a Smooth Sailing candy bar logo on the side. In 1949, he met Imogene Baty, an elementary teacher living in Thayer. They had a first date in December 1949, looking for a Christmas tree with Martin and Florence Plockberger, who had introduced them. Imogene rented from them. James and Imogene married in 1950.
Their first decade was devoted to saving money for a business and the birth of their two children. They lived in Peoria, Illinois when James worked for Caterpillar. In Thayer, they opened Porter’s 5 & 10 cent store in 1960, and the Lucky Dollar in May 1963. He was on the City Council 1964-1967. He opened Lucky Dollar stores in Ava (1967), Mountain Grove (1969), Salem (1970), Mountain View (1970), Licking (1971) and J & I Wholesale (1971). He opened Thayer True Value (1975), Thayer Fuel Center (1981), Alton Save Shop (1983). He built Thayer Dairy Queen (1985) and Houston Dairy Queen (1987).
In the late 1980’s, he received a patent on his Tray Minder, which he invented to stop the trays from being thrown away from the Dairy Queens. By the end of the 1980s he began wintering in Florida, and by 1992 was wintering in Yuma, Arizona with a flourishing Fea Market business during winters. He opened Pizza Inn in Thayer (1997). In 1999 he opened a Quick Lube in Thayer. Initially, his Thayer Fabric was located next to the Quick Lube and then relocated to a new building on south 6th in 2013. While James and Imogene enjoyed many businesses over their years together, the Fabric store was their dearest and most fun. With Imogene’s illness in 2017, he sold the Fabric Store to be with his wife until her death in 2018. They had been a phenomenal, steady couple, working beside each other in business for 57 years.
In their spare time they helped their children to college, built five houses and made forty-five land deals. Although his family had attended Welcome Hill Church of Christ where James’ grandfather had been a minister, James and Imogene were members of Thayer Baptist Church. In later years they attended evening services at Calvary Baptist Church in West Plains.
In 2019 James was asked to help find a place for Thayer Head Start. He purchased the property, renewed his contractor’s license, and built Thayer Head Start. He hoped to continue with a similar project in Alton but became limited post-COVID in 2020. He enjoyed watching the squirrels and birds and baked cakes for friends while reviewing stocks and working on land projects until serious illness prevented him in the winter of 2024-2025.
James and Imogene travelled extensively in the United States. All 49 states were driven to, as well as Western Canada and trips to Northern Mexico. They visited their children and grandchildren, and made many friends close to home, and far away. James was conservative and honest, industrious, hard-working, and enjoyed interactions, and they had lots of fun.
Funeral services for James Porter, age 95, of Thayer, Missouri, will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be at Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
March 22, 2025 @ 5:19 pm
Lawrence will be widely missed in home community and by his family. As a young girl I recall my Uncle Lawrence being quite the jokster and me and my siblings loved going to his and Aunt Imogene’s home in Thayer. He was a savy business man and we used to love getting banana splits at his Dairy Queen. Our Heavenly Father has called home a faithful follower. Love, Your Niece Sharon (Porter)and Steve Francz
March 22, 2025 @ 6:58 pm
Lawrence and Imogene were some of my favorite relatives… my uncle and aunt.
March 23, 2025 @ 9:26 am
Great friend and neighbor sorry to the family for your loss
March 24, 2025 @ 12:42 am
I have known Mr. Porter most of my life. My first memories of him go back to the Lucky Dollar where he sold me my first billfold. The struggle then was if you buy the billfold, you didn’t have anything left to go in it.
I remember while I was in high school, Mr. Porter took a worthless piece of property at the corner of 63 and Business, against the advice of everyone and started developing it. To his recollection, everyone, including MODOT, thought he was crazy. MODOT finally gave him his permits because he was persistent and wore them down. Mr. Porter knew the value of the intersection and the City of Thayer has had a Dairy Queen on that lot for more than 50 years. That lot also held the Fuel Center, a car wash, and still is home to Pizza Inn and a Farmers Market.
In later years Mr. and Mrs. Porter opened a very successful fabric store where the OZH thrift store is currently housed. I remember stopping in to visit with Mr. Porter at the store and after about 10 minutes of stories and conversation, Mrs. Porter invited me to move along. Seems Mr. Porter had work to do. He would often stop by the office and visit in the mornings even though we really didn’t have any business together. We had many mutual interests and shared a love of our community and a desire to make it better.
We made trips to talk to MODOT on getting access to 63 from his property across from Nettleton. We talked about how we could improve our town and our economy. There were many stories about his time on the City Council, I think in the 60s, and how similar the concerns and problems we deal with now. I will always treasure those times, those stories, and his advice.
The last thing I want to mention was a more recent endeavor taken on by Mr. Porter. The old school building that housed the HeadStart in Thayer changed hands and the HeadStart program had no place to go. At about 90 years old, Mr. Porter built a new building for them that should serve for many years to come.
Family and friends will lay James Porter to rest on Wednesday. I wish I could be there, but I have previous obligations as the city has sent me to Jefferson City for necessary business. If were just a personal trip, I would cancel, but I believe Mr. Porter would be very unhappy with me if I did not do my job.
I would like to offer my condolences to all of his friends and family. I am truly sorry for your loss. Also, a heartfelt Thank You to my friend for all you have done for our community, for the advice, and for the friendship. I look forward to the stories when I see you again.
Love and Prayers in Jesus for everyone you have left behind.
Stephen Clark
Thayer City Council
March 24, 2025 @ 7:20 pm
The family of the late Freddie Thompson sends our sympathy.
March 24, 2025 @ 7:31 pm
I have known Lawrence, Imogene, Jamie, and Myron most of my life. He was always very nice and helpful to my family. I always enjoyed long conversations with him because he was interesting and very knowledgeable.
March 25, 2025 @ 2:05 pm
Jamie and Myron what a beautiful tribute to your amazing Dad.
I love you started with his birth and told the story of his childhood, schooling and how he was a self made business man. I also love seeing how he met the love of his life , dated and married her. Your parents worked so well together because they had the same goals. Work hard to receive the things in life you need and want. Another thing your Dad and Mom had was the ability to talk to people . That is a gift not everyone has but it seems almost all Porters or relatives of Porters were blessed with this gift. Your parents were very proud of you both. I can not be there in body but I will be there in mind and spirit. I love you both and your families very much.
Uncle Lawrence I will miss our calls and talking about old times. I know you are happy to be with Aunt Imy as you missed her a lot. May you rest in peace. I love you and will miss you .