Morgan Strott Porter, 81, passed away on December 5, 2003 in Anacortes, Washington. Morgan was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on April 17, 1922, the son of Morgan Wolfe Porter and Gaynell Porter. A former resident of Geneva, N.Y., and Colorado, he had lived in Anacortes since 1982.

Morgan joined the Navy in early 1941. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor in late 1941 and survived the attack on December 7. During World War II, he served throughout the Pacific region. He was involved in numerous battles, including Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service in the Solomon Islands. After the war, he was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station until he left active duty. He participated in the Navy reserves until the late sixties.

After the war, he was stationed at Whidbey Island, Wash., and was discharged in 1948. He served in the Navy Reserves until the late 1960s.

After leaving the Navy in 1948, Morgan returned to Erie, PA. He later moved to Geneva, New York where he raised his three children. While in Geneva, Morgan was active in civic affairs. He was a member of the Geneva School Board for several years. He helped desegregate its public school system in the early 1960s.As a member of the board, he was a catalyst in the de-segregation of the Geneva public school system in the early 1960's. Eventually, he moved to Colorado where he was engaged in a small business before moving to Anacortes in 1982.

He enjoyed fishing, especially expeditions to Echo Bay, British Columbia.

While living in Anacortes on his prized 'Enterprise', Morgan was an active boater and fisherman. He operated a boat transportation business throughout the islands of Washington's Puget Sound. He formerly operated a business in Colorado. He enjoyed many fishing expeditions to Echo Bay BC with his friends. He engaged in a variety of other activities while living in Anacortes including a period when he ferried personnel from Island Surgeons between Anacortes and other islands.

Morgan was a passionate man who never lost his enthusiasm for life. He touched many through his compassionate and caring treatment of those he encountered in life. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his children, Gaynell Dorrance of Cazenovia NY, Joy Porter of Manitou Springs CO and Morgan Porter of Tampa Florida and his sister Dorothy E. Morton of Erie PA. In addition his is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at Evans Funeral Chapel. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes, Washington.

Evans Funeral Chapel

1105 32nd Street

Anacortes, WA 98221

360-293-3311

Fax#: 360-293-8013

Combination from the following sources:

Erie Times-News (PA) - Tuesday, December 9, 2003

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO) - Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Morgan Strott Porter (1922)