Lonnie R. Porter Sr., 72

ATHENS, Texas–Services for Lonnie R. Porter, Sr., 72, Athens are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 in Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel in Athens with LaRon Branson and Tom Davis officiating.

Burial will follow in Shelby Chapel Cemetery.

Mr. Porter died Jan. 15, 2012 in Tyler.

He was born July 27, 1939 in Girdner, Mo., to the late Orba W. and Neval Ann McKnight Porter and had been a resident of Athens for 47 years. He worked six years for D.R. Florence Electric Construction Company in Rockwall then finished out his career with New Era Electric (now Trinity Valley Electric) as a lineman and crew foreman.

He proudly spoke of never being late to work during his 28-year tenure. Following full retirement in 1995 Lonnie stayed very busy with his many hobbies including hunting, fishing, gardening and bee keeping. He was an expert Indian artifact collector and avid arrowhead hunter. He was a precision artist in making arrowheads, bows and arrows, knife making and had unlimited wood working abilities.

Lonnie was a member of the East Texas Honey Bee Club in Tyler.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Porter, and sister Zola Porter.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Alta J. Porter, Athens; sons Lonnie Ray Porter Jr., Athens, Charles Glen Porter, Decatur, and Audy Verl Porter, Frankston; daughter, Wanda J. Newland; brothers Jimmy J. Porter, Sparta, Mo., and Leonard A. Porter, Squires, Mo.; sister Wanda J. Yerby, Peoria, Ill.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Pallbearers will be Audy V. Porter, Charles G. Porter, Jimmy R. Harris, Audie Lynn Porter, Lonnie Ray Porter, Jr., Dana House, Logan Porter, Josh W. Porter.

Honorary pallbearers are Ashley Cutrer, Phillip Cutrer, Kalli C. Porter, Alex M. Porter, Lauren R. Porter, Lindsey R. Porter, Connor W. Porter.

Visitation for family and friends was 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701-6623.