The Pinecone
|
November 2013
• 7 •
Everett was born in Alamo, TN in
1930 to Ruffin Porter and Rose Bell
Arnold Porter. He had one brother
and two sisters. His Dad was a farmer
and his Mom was a homemaker. At 18
years of age, he enrolled in Lambuth
University, majoring in Biology. It
was also at Lambuth U. that he met his
future wife, Nancy McArthur. They
married in 1952 and have two sons
and two daughters. On graduating
from Lambuth U., Everett entered the
Memphis Theological Seminary and,
in 1952, joined the Memphis Annual
Conference to begin 41 years of active
ministry in the Jackson Purchase
– covering Western Tennessee and
Eastern Kentucky. He retired from
active ministry in 1993 and joined
Christ Methodist Church to serve in
pastoral care.
As a boy, Everett’s strong interest
in aviation was whetted by the many
airplane kits he bought and put together.
He was determined to fly. In November
1969 he had his first lesson; and his
first solo flight in December 1969. His
Private Pilot License was obtained in
June 1970; and his Commercial License
in April 1971. He became a Certified
Flight Instructor in August 1972 and
Instrument Rating in October 1975. All
told, Everett logged more than 3,000
hours in 18 different makes and models
of planes. One could say that during
these years he lived between Heaven
and Earth. A clever fellow pilot created
a certificate for Everett proclaiming
“TheAssociation of Hot Pilots and Cool
Clergymen recognize Everett Porter as
a charter member of this other worldly
outfit and he holds the official title
of President, Chief Pilot, Ground
Crew and Omni-Bishop”. He was
said to be a Little Lower Than The
Angels. Three of Everett’s children
also are involved in aviation. Son,
Steve, is a FedEx pilot; son, Bobby,
is a FedEx mechanic and private
pilot, and daughter, Carol is a FedEx
computer analyst and a private pilot.
Science vs Creation – I looked for a
genetic trait that would suggest a DNA
“aviation proclivity” I got no where.
Everett said there were no pilots in
his family tree, not crop duster, stunt
pilot, no one. When asked to explain
his early determination to fly, he said
that his Creator made him the way he
is; and he has passed along his passion
for flying to his children. Proud of
her son but afraid to fly, it took some
persuading for his Mom to get in the
plane. When she finally did and was
asked why she would do this, knowing
her fear, she said that if she was going
to die she wanted to die with Everett!
He believes flight is a gift from God; a
wonderful platform from which to view
God’s handiwork and fulfill Jesus’ great
commission to “Go into all the world
and preach the Gospel”. His travels to
many countries gave him opportunities
to minister to diverse populations.
Everett - gentle minister, passionate
flyer. Nancy – loving mother, staunch
supporter of her husband’s career and
interests. The Porters are a special
couple in the mix of Residents, and
Kirby Pines honors them for their
steadfast contributions to the well-
being of their neighbors.
– Jacqueline Besteman, Resident
Re s i de n t Spo t l i gh t
Everett
Porter
Everett Porter and John Vincent took to the skies recently
after discussing flying at the Pioneer’s Dinner in September
