Porter, Stan

Stan Porter, husband of Bruce and father of Scott and Biggs, passed away Friday February 11th while peacefully resting at his home in Southern Pines. He turned 92 on Monday February 7th and had thoroughly enjoyed every year with his friends and family. Other surviving members of the family include Marilyn Porter, wife of Biggs, and four grandchildren, Wesley, Gregory, Caitlin and Michael. In addition, he loved and was loved by numerous nephews and nieces. He was a strong but caring and compassionate natural leader who made everyone feel comfortable, no matter their station in life. His laugh was unmistakable and infectious. His determination and ability to reason and debate were second to none and played an important part in his many successes. Stan grew into a man at an early age during the depression living in Kansas. He showed his excellence in high school and college winning at both tennis and debate at a very high level. While in basic training in the glider core of the Army Airborne at Fort Bragg, Stan met and married Bruce Biggs whose family lived in nearby Rockingham, NC. He fought in WW II in the Battle of the Bulge and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Upon his return, Stan and Bruce moved to Lawrence, KS. Stan completed his business degree at Kansas University and joined Arthur Young & Co. in Kansas City to begin a long and storied career with the firm. He moved to Tulsa where he became the partner in charge and established himself as the expert in oil and gas accounting. Working with his long time client and friend, John Williams, they engineered the largest leveraged buyout of the day when the Williams Companies acquired Great Lakes Pipeline. Stan authored Petroleum Accounting Practices, the definitive text on oil and gas finance and accounting. He later relocated to Dallas to assume the position of Southwest Regional Partner and ultimately as Vice Chairman of Arthur Young until he retired in 1979 . He served on several boards, including Fiber Industries, Allied Signal and Union Texas Petroleum. He served as expert witness before congressional committees and on a variety of domestic and international matters. In spite of his busy career, he dedicated quality time to raising his sons who now share his love of tennis, golf, fly fishing, bird hunting and a good debate. Stan participated in many civic and social organizations and inevitably ended up in a leadership role assisting the organization, its members or its detractors He will be missed by all who came to know him. If you knew him, you know he sometimes admired people who were “independent as a hog on ice”, and you would hear him say that he didn‘t know “what in the Sam Hill” the boys were up to, that he could laugh “till the world looked level” and that he would say that it would all work out “if the good Lord is willin‘ and the creek don‘t rise.” We plan to celebrate his life on two occasions. On Saturday February 19 a service will be held at Two O‘clock in the afternoon at The Village Chapel in Pinehurst, North Carolina. This summer we will choose another date to celebrate both Stan and Bruce‘s lives while we are gathered in the mountains that they loved.. In memory of Stan and of his love for his wife Bruce, in lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Alzheimer‘s Foundation of America (322 8th Ave. 7th floor, NY NY 10001, www.alzfdn.org). The family wishes to extend special thanks to all those who assisted us during the last few weeks and in particular to Tammy Brafford who tirelessly cared for both Stan and Bruce like they were her own family. Stan thought the following verse was appropriate: Young and Old (The Old, Old Song) When all the world is young, lad, And all the trees are green; And every goose a swan, lad, And every lass a queen; Then hey for boot and horse, lad, And round the world away; Young blood must have its course, lad, And every dog his day. When all the world is old, lad, And all the trees are brown, And all the sport is stale, lad, And all the wheels run down; Creep home and take your place there, The spent and maimed among; God grant you find the face there You loved when you were young. Charles Kingsley 1863 Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the family.