Roger L. Porter, Sr.

Roger L. Porter Sr, 80 of Olathe, Kansas passed away on May 25, 2022 surrounded by family.

Roger was predeceased by his parents Lyle Sr and Isabelle Porter and his 2nd wife Irene Porter (Clarke).  Roger is survived by siblings Lyle Porter Jr, Gary Porter and wife Sally, sister Karolyn Watkins (Porter) and husband Elmer, first wife, Mary Elizabeth Porter (Hammonds), son Roger Porter Jr, daughters Mary Anne Melloy (Porter), Cindy Standlea (Porter) and Amber Bishop (Clarke), grandchildren Melissa Arnold (Melloy), Meagan Cochran (Melloy), Cameron Porter, Alexandria (Lexie) Porter and Raeleigh Bishop,  great-grandchildren Jotham and Inara Arnold and Annalea, Evangeline and Genevieve Cochran, special friend Sherrin Zetmeir, multiple nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Roger was born in Palmdale California and grew up in Nebraska graduating from Emerson/Hubbard high school and was one of 16 students that graduated in 1959.  He entered the US Air Force and spent 7.5 years enlisted serving domestically and overseas as an air traffic controller.  Stateside he was stationed at Whiteman AFB, Keesler AFB and Richards-Gebaur AFB bringing him to Kansas City where he spent most of his adult life.  Roger graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Upon leaving the service he worked as an insurance office manager and salesman at Fuller Brush.  He obtained his Real Estate license from Century 21 and in 1972 Roger started Cable Car Auction which he ran until the 1990s when he sold it to his son.  He was a founding member of the Certified Auctioneers Institute and a trailblazer in the auction business with one of the first computerized auction programs.

Roger was always very active in numerous clubs and activities including the KC Ski Club, Central Midwest H.O.G Chapter, Kansas City North H.O.G. Chapter, Scuba Diving, playing Pickle Ball and traveling all over the world.  Roger was very active with the Kansas Harley Davidson State Rally and Road Captain for multiple rides.  Riding Harley’s was his passion for 30+ year owning multiple motorcycles, riding over 500,000 miles across 3 continents.  With Roger, whether it was on skis, a motorcycle or in a car you knew you were in for an adventure when he took the lead.  A passion later in life became diving. Roger was PADI certified in open water, specialty diver-Boat, EPR, Reef fish ID, Advanced open water and rescue diver.

Roger Sr was a brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, a mentor, a very loyal friend, and an excellent mentor.

A celebration of life will be held at VFW Post #7397 (9550 Pflumm Rd, Lenexa KS 66215) on Saturday June 25th from 4-8pm including dinner.  In lieu of flowers please donate in Roger’s honor to the charity of your choice.