Carl Oscar Porter

Carl Oscar Porter was born May 8, 1932, on Mother's Day. He peacefully left this world to be with his Lord on December 31, 2025 at the age of 93. Carl was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and spent his early years in Ft McClellan, Alabama and Ft Niagara, New York before returning to Chattanooga and graduating from Chattanooga High School in 1949. Soon after high school, he joined the US Air Force where he served as a radar operator at Misawa Air Base in Japan during the Korean War. When his four-year enlistment was up, he went to work for TVA as a cartographer. He then used the G.I. bill and enrolled in the University of Chattanooga, now UTC, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. On August 3, 1957, he married the love of his life, Mary Alice McCormick, in a ceremony held at Second Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga. He started his new career with TVA as an accountant in the Internal Audit Section. They moved to Knoxville in 1960. In 1967 he took the position of Accounting Officer in the Division of Reservoir Properties, a job he held until his retirement in 1988. After retirement, he worked as a realtor for a few years before deciding to fully enjoy retirement with his many hobbies. Carl and Mary enjoyed time spent in the mountains, especially the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They joined the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club in 1966. He was a regular on their hikes, sometimes leading hikes and other times with his family in tow. The family spent many weekends camping and hiking. As he grew older, he joined two other hiking groups: Retired Citizens of the Smokies and Happy Hikers. He was hiking with these groups well into his 80's. Carl's other interest was sailing. He joined Concord Yacht Club in the 70's where he was treasurer for several years. He had a Windmill sailboat and many a weekend was spent on the lake, either racing or just enjoying time on the water. He was especially fond of his church family. When the family moved to Knoxville, he joined Second Presbyterian Church and later Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by parents Opal Hope Porter and Peck J. Porter. His father, Peck, was a 30-year Army career veteran with service in both World Wars. Survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Alice McCormick Porter; daughters Dr Sara Porter Tamas Shamblin (Jim) and Karen Marie LeSueur (Derrick) ; grandchildren Megan Tamas and Nicholas Tamas (Jingwei Deng); nephews Sean (Alex) McCormick and David (Brenda) McCormick and many extended family members. Graveside service to be held at Chattanooga Memorial Park on Friday January 23 at 1:00 pm with full military honors. Receiving of friends to be held at Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN on Saturday January 24 from 1-3pm, with a service immediately following, presided by the Reverend Clay Harrington. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to make a donation to Friends of the Smokies, 3099 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Suite 2, Kodak TN 37764, to Remote Area Medical, 2200 Stock Creek Blvd, Rockford TN 37853 or your favorite charity.

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Carl Oscar Porter

May 8, 1932 - December 31, 2025