Justin Jon Porter

Justin Jon Porter, son of Gary and Jeanie Porter, was born on March 12, 1970 in Webster City, Iowa. Justin and his family lived in Duncombe, Iowa until they moved to Missouri in 1973. Justin started school at Dixon Elementary in Dixon, Missouri and then transferred to East Elementary School in Waynesville, Missouri. He continued his education at Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School and was the first person with Down Syndrome to graduate from Waynesville High School, Class of 1991. At his graduation ceremony, Justin’s classmates gave him a standing ovation as he crossed the platform. Justin enjoyed helping others and working. He volunteered at the Waynesville Life Care Center doing laundry and custodial work. He worked part time at Jim’s Market stocking and cleaning shelves and also helped unpack Shaklee shipments and pack Shaklee orders for his mom’s home business. Justin was very active in Special Olympics from the age of 8 until the present time. He competed in running, jumping, softball throwing and bowling. He has been a member of the adult Special Olympics Bowling Team, the Pulaski County Eagles for 6 years. In his spare time, Justin enjoyed TV trivia, TV guides, and watching old time sitcoms and NCIS DVDs. He loved to eat out at restaurants and especially the Friday night ritual of having Papa Murphy’s pizza. He also loved to listen to Bible stories. Justin had an incredible memory for names of people, actors, characters and trivia. He was witty and loved to tease people. He always enjoyed going to the Pulaski Fine Arts Association plays and had to get autographs of all the actors on his program brochure. In 1970, Justin was baptized by his grandfather in Iowa into the Lutheran church. For the past 30 years, he has been a member of The River Church (formerly known as Grace Covenant Christian Center) in Waynesville, Missouri. As a young adult, Justin made a profession of faith and was baptized in the river near the Waynesville Park by Pastor Mike Prater. Justin went home to be with his Lord, Sunday, September 9, 2018 in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Missouri having attained the age of 48 years. Justin is survived by his parents: Gary and Jeanie Porter of St. Robert, MO; one sister: Stephanie Elliott (Dylan) of Carthage, MO; two nephews: Noah and Kaden Elliott of Carthage, MO; many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Justin was preceded in death by grandparents: Paul and Dorothy Porter of Iowa Falls, Iowa and Paul and Leona Bussert of Spencer, Iowa; aunt: Mary Porter of Nevada; and uncle: John Porter of California. Justin will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those who knew and loved him. Services were held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 16, 2018 in The River Church in The ARK Community & Sports Center of Waynesville, Missouri with Pastor Howie Malone, Chaplain Judy Schlueter, Pastor Joy Bussert and Pastor Mike Prater officiating. The songs “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”, “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”, “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus”, “I Can Only Imagine” and “Surrounded By His Love” were performed. Comments were made by family and friends, including Stephanie Elliott (Justin’s sister), Marv Luten and Wendy Gomez. Arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Justin Porter to Special Olympics Missouri, Camp Barnabas, or The River Church and may be left at the funeral home or at the service on Sunday.

Justin Jon Porter

March 12, 1970 - September 9, 2018