Max Porter

Max Alwyn Porter, 89 years of age, of Alma, Neb. passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the Harlan County Health System in Alma.

Max was born on April 8, 1931, at home in Albion, Neb., the seventh of eight children, born to Don and Grace (Wilson) Porter. He attended Albion Public Schools and graduated from Albion High School with the class of 1949.

In 1945, Max was in a hunting accident where he suffered the loss of his left thumb and 1/3 of the muscle in his left arm. Because of this accident he was often asked by children what happened to his thumb. His favorite answers were: “a bear bit it off,” or “I sucked it too much as a kid”; to his grandkids he was known as “Grandpa no thumb.”

In 1951, Max married Alice Larson. They were blessed with three children: son, Jerre Lee; and daughters: Jeanette Allyson and Jennifer Lynn. The family moved to Phillipsburg, Kan. in 1953 and Max worked as an auditor and later, material account manager for the Kansas-Nebraska Energy until his retirement in 1993. The marriage later ended in divorce.

On May 4, 1980, Max was united in marriage to Barbara Casper in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Chapel of the Bells. The couple made their home in Phillipsburg until 2004, when they moved to Alma. Together, the couple enjoyed traveling and attending Nebraska football games.

Max loved fishing, hunting, and athletics. He officiated football, basketball, and baseball, both at the high school and collegiate levels, including officiating football in the Big 8 and Western Athletic Conferences. In March of 2003, he was inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame. Max was proud of obtaining the Grand Royal and World Slams from the National Wild Turkey Federation, by harvesting all six species of turkeys.

Max was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg and the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma. He served on the church boards for many years. Max also mentored students at the Alma and Phillipsburg public schools.

He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, NWTF, and the NRA. He served 38 years on the Phillipsburg Volunteer Fire Department, and was a hospice volunteer. Max was always very active in the community where he lived.

Max was preceded in death by; his parents; six siblings, four sisters: Shirley Kendrick; Margaret Hamel; Barbara Breazile; and LeAnn Wurtele; and two brothers: Donovan Porter; and Lyle Porter.

Max leaves to celebrate his life: his wife, Barbara Porter of Alma; son, Jerre Porter and his wife, Kayleen Logan of Rock Springs, Wyo.; two daughters: Jeanette Marfield and her husband, Jim of Platte City, Mo,; and Jennifer Byarlay and her husband, Doug of Randolph; grandchildren:  Erikka Jehle and her husband, Cole; Andrea Villafuerte and her husband, Jorge; Allison Hanks and her husband, Aaron; James Marfield and his wife, Theresa; Jason Marfield and his wife, Marissa; Dr. Ashlin Porter and her husband, Dr. Mark Romanczyk; Chelsea Laughlin; Dr. Shelby Porter; Colby Byarlay and his wife, Sarah; Eric Byarlay; Ariel  Divilbiss and her husband, Whit; great-grandchildren: Isaac, Anthony and Natalie Rose Villafuerte; and Ailish Laughlin; brother, Rod Porter of Fort Collins, Colorado; sister-in-law, Shirley Porter of Casper, Wyoming; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Celebration of Life services for Max will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 at The Sand Trap in Phillipsburg from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a short ceremony and sharing of stories at 1:30 p.m.

A private family inurnment will be at the Alma Cemetery in Alma, Neb.

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.