Michael Sedate Porter was born July 8, 1942, in Toledo, Washington, and passed away Jan. 17, 2024, in Olympia, Washington.
Mike grew up the fifth of six children with his parents Willis and Mable Porter on a farm in Evaline on the Olequa Creek. He attended Evaline grade school for eight years. He graduated from Winlock High School in 1960. He was voted by his football teammates the recipient of the Otis Roundtree Inspirational award, sponsored by the Winlock Lions Club. He joined the Winlock Lions Club when he was 18 and continued his service work through the years. He owned and operated Shake Shop in Winlock for two years before becoming an insurance agent for New York Life, from which he retired after 40 years. Mike was a 50-plus-year member of Hope Grange and served as Grange master for several years. He also served on the Evaline School Board and chaired for several years. The school was special to him. His father, uncles and all of his brothers and sisters have been part of Evaline. Mike and his wife, Jo Ann, returned to Evaline in 2000 to build a home and a small tree farm. Mike loved his family and friends. He always saw the positive. He loved playing cards with his friends and did not let a grandchild get out of the house until he taught him cribbage. He was and is loved and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, of 30 years, and Peggy Honemen and Nancy Brown, first and second wives; his sister Minnie Lou Callaway; his sons Tony (Laurie Jo) of Forks, Michael David (Christine) of Evaline, Steve (Kristie) of Burien, and Trevor (Jenny) of Toledo; and daughter Jane Rohman of Wenatchee; step-sons James and Eugene Powers; and many nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jim, Sherman, Steve and his sister Gertrude.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. at Methodist Church in Winlock.
Donations in memory of Mike may be made to Hope Grange for a scholarship to a Winlock High School graduate in memory of Michael Sedate Porter. Send them to Hope Grange in care of Les Vian, 2386 Highway 603, Winlock, WA 98596.
