Patrick Ross Porter

Patrick Ross Porter, 84, was a compassionate, kind, and caring individual who put the needs of others before his own. He will be missed by many after passing peacefully on Tuesday, June 28,2024, at Morning Star Assisted Living in Neodesha surrounded by family. Born in Neodesha Kansas on October 23, 1939, to Don Barns Porter, Sr. and Geneva Rankin Porter, Pat spent his childhood on a farm near Earlton, Kansas. Early memories included many farm animals and attending a one room school until it closed. He transferred to Chanute where his parents owned a drug store. While in high school, he was active in FFA and 4-H. He graduated from Chanute High School in1958 and moved to Neodesha where he met his future wife, Billie Marie Kneebone. They were married on December 28, 1961, at Church of the Ascension in Neodesha.

After graduating from Pharmacy School at the University of Missouri at Kansas City 1964, Pat worked one year in Ottawa, Kansas. In 1965, Pat and his father Don purchased Bates Drug Store. His grandfather, Ross Porter, sold his drug store to Alice Bates in 1935. Pat found pharmacy in a small town rewarding and enjoyed filling prescriptions for children, grandchildren and eventually great- grandchildren of early patients. He was recognized for 50 years of service to pharmacy in 2015.

Many Porter Drug Store employees became like a close knit family. He was proud of the success of the numerous high school students he employed with over half of them graduating from college, many with advanced degrees. In recent years, former student employees have expressed gratitude for his tolerance of their youthful exuberance, encouragement and wise advice. 

Porter Drug was also a site for many KU pharmacy interns that were invited to live with Porters and have memories of Pat’s generosity and delight in showing them life and pharmacy outside a city. In 2006, Paula Wells, RPh, purchased Porter Drug and Pat continued working part-time until 2020.

Pat was a Christian and devoted Episcopalian who remembered, while a high school senior, serving as an acolyte every morning at the 7am service the 40 days of Lent. At the Church of the Ascension, he served on the Vestry, as Warden and a lay reader. 

Those who knew Pat remember him as a passionate duck hunter. A bumper sticker on his truck says, “I’m not afraid of commitment, I’ve been a duck hunter all my life.” His Mother remembered with dismay Pat running ponds before and after school in the 5th grade after a neighbor introduced him to hunting.

Pat helped bring Ducks Unlimited to Kansas and served as state treasurer in the early years. He was often a Kansas delegate to the National Convention and recognized as a Life Sponsor in 2007. Other conservation organizations he supported included Nature Conservancy and Audubon. In 2015, he received an award for Wildlife Conservation recognizing grassland management practices. Pat was recognized by KWP for 10 plus years as a Hunter Safety Instructor.

Main Street, community, and young people were important to Pat. He was a 39-year Neodesha Chamber of Commerce member, serving as Chamber president three years and was recognized as “Man of the Year” twice. He was always ready to donate to local causes, clean up after events and be helpful for whatever project his family was involved in--Neodesha Arts, Schools, Scouts or Wilson Medical Center. Girl Scouts awarded him the highest honor as a Meadowlark Council volunteer. He wanted his home to be a gathering place and it was sometimes a refuge for many kids. Although he was not an NHS grad, he attended and hosted many Alumni events. Many Tuesday nights were spent with “Book Club” friends at Billy’s Bar and Grill. For most of his married life, the Porters and Rochelle and Bert Chronister went to dinner on Friday nights. Pat enjoyed members of the Mr. Shifters Car Club and driving his red/white 1966 Chrysler 300 given to him by Marie Kneebone.

A devoted Kansas City Chief fan, the first day he closed the drug store was the first Super Bowl. Before that the store was open 8am-9pm, 365 days a year, Hours not uncommon hours in the 60’s. He also followed KU basketball and K-State football. 

 Pat was a runner, participated in local running events and believed it was important for health care professionals to live an exemplary healthy lifestyle. He appreciated the exercise opportunities offered by Harry Hynes Hospice and Morning Star Assisted Living the last 6 weeks of his life. Because he died of an infectious disease (Covid), his plan to have his body donated to KUMC was not possible. Cremation has taken place. 

Services and a Celebration of Life will be held later this fall. Memorials to Rankin Library (Will Rankin was his uncle), Get Fit / Wilson Medical Center Foundation (where he enjoyed exercising) and Harry Hynes Hospice. 

Pat is survived by his wife of 63 years Billie Marie Kneebone Porter of the home, daughter Anne Porter Darst (Tom), Louisville, KY; son Michael Ross Porter (Karen), Neodesha; Grandsons Fritz Ross Porter, (San Diago, CA); Philip Menning Porter (Lawrence). Nephews included Kelly Kneebone (wife Jacque and family), Overland Park, KS; Lee Porter, Glendale, CA, and niece Carol Porter, Guerneville, CA. BIL Ken Kneebone, Neodesha, KS.

He is preceded in death by grandson, Corey William Doublin; parents Don and Geneva Rankin Porter; brother Don Porter (Dian); grandparents Ross and Alice Barnes Porter, Frank and Lula Rankin. To leave a special message for the family please www.loranfawcettfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Loran Fawcett Chapel.