Gerald A. (Jerry) Porter

Dec. 30, 1933 – Oct. 25, 2025

Lifetime Basin-Greybull resident Jerry Porter passed away peacefully at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Langley, Okla. Both of his sons were at his bedside when he passed.

Jerry was born in Big Horn Basin to Alma O. Porter and Lucille (Asay) Riopelle. He went to grade school in Basin and then high school in Greybull, graduating with the class of 1952. He excelled in football and boxing. In 1954, he married Wilma Jean Marshall and together they had two boys, Jim and John, and a daughter, Judy. Jerry worked for over 30 years as a brakeman/conductor for BNSF Railroad, CB&Q when he hired on in the 1960s.

Jerry had many friends and never knew a stranger. He made a number of trips to Oklahoma and his family commented many times that he knew more people in Langley than they did. He outlived most of his friends from his generation, joking that a big part of his social life was attending funerals.

Jerry loved to hunt and fish and was very active. His grandsons complained that they had trouble keeping up with him in the field. He killed his last two elk in 2017 and 2018, hunting with grandson Nate LaFollette and great-grandson Cameron. Until May of this year, he was still push-mowing his lawn, usually about 5:30 in the morning to the displeasure of his neighbors. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Bill and Bob Severy and niece Lori Severy and first wife Wilma Jean Bates. 

He is survived by sons Jim (Connie) Porter, John (Amy) Porter, daughter Judy LaFollette, grandchildren Brandy (Doug) Olson, Jaime (Trace) Gieser, Josh (Amy) Porter, Mike (Mandy) Porter, Jason (Deah) LaFollette, Nate (Shawna) LaFollette, Lacy and Hunter Buie, Jamie Ebeirus, 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren, brother Don Porter, sisters Roz (Jay) Sorenson, Donnalee Riopelle and longtime dear friend Maggie Wright.

Jerry was laid to rest in Ketchum, Okla., with an informal graveside service attended by his family and a few close friends. Jerry’s family is planning a celebration of life gathering in Greybull or Basin in the spring or early summer of 2026.  Details will be announced at a later date.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Good Shepherd Hospice in Grove, Okla.