Richard L. Porter

JENSEN FUNERAL HOME, MOMENCE Richard L. Porter of Momence, Illinois, age 96, passed away on June 25, 2026, at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee, Illinois. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 16, 1929, the son of Richard and Helen Porter. He attended Nashville schools and later graduated from the University of Kentucky. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict, from 1951 until 1954. It was while he was in the Air Force that he met his beloved wife of 60 years, the former Dorothy Babcock of Newburgh, New York. He and Dorothy were married in November, 1952. Following his Air Force service, Richard (Dick) held operating and merchandising management positions in various Montgomery Ward & Company stores throughout the Midwest and Southwest. In 1967 he joined the Midwest Division of the Baker & Taylor Company (international book distributors) in Momence, Illinois where he served as Assistant to the President. He later served as the Company's Senior Executive of the Midwest Distribution Center in Momence as Senior Vice President and General Manager until his retirement in 1992. Richard served as a board member on several county-wide and local organizations in the Kankakee and Momence areas, including the Momence Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Kankakee County and briefly on the Kankakee County Economic Development Council. He resigned his position on the Council to assist the Mayor of Momence in organizing the Momence Area Community and Economic Development Corporation which supported the Mayor in the development of the North End Momence Industrial Park, now home to several businesses. The group was also involved in the environmental decontamination of the old Carter Wallace production facility that later allowed it to be safely occupied by other businesses. Richard also served on the Momence School Board, including as President of the Board for a time, and he was also involved in the Momence Youth Sports Association and Scouting programs. In addition, he was very active in the former Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, serving as Treasurer, Bishop's Warden, and on the Bishop's Governing Committee. In addition to enjoying the company of his family, Richard enjoyed travel, golf, and working on church, home, and community projects. Later in life he became an avid runner, competing in several area 5K and 10K races. He is survived by his three children, Gregory (Debbie) Porter, Tracey (Chuck) Bush, and Clifford Porter, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews in both New York and Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (2012), his parents, one sister and brother-in-law and a great-grandson. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 10am until the funeral service at noon at Jensen Funeral Home, Momence, 203 N. Locust Street, Momence, Illinois. Burial will immediately follow at Momence Cemetery, beside his wife Dorothy.