John "Johnny" Louis Porter, Jr.

Mr. John (Johnny) Louis Porter, Jr., 66, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Johnny was born April 13, 1958 in Gainesville, Georgia to John Louis Porter, Sr. and Jane McGirt Porter. As an infant, he moved with his parents to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he spent his childhood and most of his adult life. 

Johnny graduated from North Forsyth High School and earned his Associate Degree from Forsyth Technical Community College with honors. He later received his Bachelor Degree in engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He dedicated 17 years of his career to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as a general mechanic. 

From a young age, Johnny found joy playing the drums. He enjoyed playing music with friends and was a member of the praise band at Reynolda Church. Johnny became an Eagle Scout as a teenager and loved all animals, particularly his pet Shetland Sheepdogs. Johnny had a passion for traveling and visited many European countries and U.S. national parks through the years. 

Johnny was preceded in death by his father and his younger brother Charles Owen Porter. 

 Johnny is survived by his mother, Jane McGirt Porter; brother, Chris Porter (Betsy); and nieces, Kate Boyd and Elizabeth Porter. 

The Porter family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Ron Pegram for the care and support that he offered to Johnny in the last year of his life.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 12 pm at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Road, Winston-Salem, NC. The graveside service will be followed by a celebration of Johnny’s life at 1 pm with Rev. Alan Wright and Pastor Ron Pegram officiating at Reynolda Church’s Village Campus worship center, 2200 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  Memorials may be made to Reynolda Church, ATTN: Accounts Manager, 2200 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106