James Larry Porter, 65, of Columbus, MS, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his residence.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Kilmichael, Mississippi with Bro. Robert Gillis officiating.

Mr. Porter was born on July 4, 1958, in Columbus, MS, to the late James Harry Porter and Jewel Howard Porter. Mr. Porter worked at Valmet as an IT for many years in Columbus, MS. He was a member of the State Line Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, finance chairman, and sound and media director. Mr. Porter was a loving husband for 17 years to his wife, Wendy. He also loved his puppies Foxy and Buddy. Mr. Porter retired from the US Army National Guard as Sergeant First Class.

SFC Porter was instrumental in developing the Automation NCO Course and being the primary instructor for the first and second sources held at PEC. By working with the RRNCO, ARRNCO, and gathering feedback from RRAC III Automation NCOs, SFS Porter seeks ways to improve the ARISS program for the Strength Maintenance Team. Along with his nationally recognized automation skills, SFC Porter was a master badge RRNCO. The knowledge he attained those 3 years was instrumental in his development of ARISS applications and in assisting new RRNCOs with any questions they may have on recruiting tasks.

Mr. Porter is survived by his wife- Wendy Owens Porter; brother- David (Wendy) Porter; sisters- Martha (Tommy) Augustinowitz, Linda (Larry Wayne) Kee, and Francis Blanton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, 50 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702.