Gertrude Ann (McCoy) Porter

Thomas LeRoy Porter was born September 7, 1934, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Charles and Editha (Guthrie) Porter.  He passed away January 10, 2017, at Jefferson County Health Center.

Gertrude Ann (McCoy) Porter was born April 6, 1933, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Clarence and Olga (Tetmeyer) McCoy.  She passed away September 1, 2022, at Lantern Park, Coralville.

Tom and Gert both attended Ottumwa High School. Both were active in Luther League at St Paul Lutheran Church in Ottumwa. They were married October 14, 1951 and were blessed with 65 years of marriage.

Tom was a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  Before moving to Fairfield, Tom farmed in the Ottumwa area and after retiring in 1996, farmed as a hobby. Some of his places of employment were Dexter, Louden Crane Co and a business representative for United Workers Union.

Gert was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She assisted her parents in their grocery/café (Mac’s Place) until her parents retired May 1971. She enjoyed canning the produce from their gardens.

After Tom and Gert retired, they enjoyed traveling and camping in their motorhome.  They would spend winters and eventually resided in Mission, Texas until returning to Iowa in 2009.

Tom and Gert are survived by their children, Ann Burnett of Fairfield, Joan Johnston of North Liberty, Patricia (James) Brown of Ottumwa; 9 grandchildren, Mike (Shelly) Burnett of Fairfield, Michelle Burnett of Ankeny, Chris (Casey) Johnston of Fairfield, Amanda Johnston of North Liberty, Rick (Tessany) Haynes of Packwood, Brian Haynes of Birmingham, Justin Brown of Ottumwa and Andrew (Tabatha) Brown of Agency, Bobbi (Timothy) Wallace of Fairfield; 20 great grandchildren

Tom is survived by a brother, John (Jacqueline) Porter of Milwaukie, OR. Gertrude is survived by a brother, Richard (Beverly) McCoy of Sacramento, CA.  They are also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Editha; brothers, Kenneth and Henry Ellis, James, George and Gerald Porter; sisters, Rita Grear, Louise Shadley, Alice Yenger, Mary Meirer, Verna Mirgon and Martha Wood

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Olga.

They were preceded in death by 3 great grandchildren, Clayton Haynes, Ben Johnston and Derick Robinson and a son-in-law, Robert Burnett.

To celebrate Tom's and Gert’s life there will be a graveside service at 10:30 AM, Monday, September 12, 2022, at Shrine of Memories Cemetery, Ottumwa with Pastor Heidi Williams officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Iowa City Hospice.