Vincent “Lee” Porter
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 8B - April 2, 2023
Vincent “Lee” Porter,
of Fruita, passed away
on March 26, 2023 at
Larchwood Inns in Grand
Junction. He was 84.
Lee was born on January
26, 1939, in Greeley,
Colorado, to Vincent Archie and Fern (Hicks) Porter.
He spent his childhood in Grand Junction, Meeker, and
Naturita, Colorado; and graduated from Grand Junction
High School in 1957. After attending Mesa Junior
College for one year, Lee moved to California.
He served honorably in the U.S. Army at Fort Riley,
Kansas for two years beginning in 1962, where his
bunkmate was Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers.
Lee returned to California in 1964 where he would live
for the next 38 years, in places like Los Angeles, Santa
Barbara, and Carpinteria. Lee worked as a beverage
distribution manager, and even had the honor of
delivering beer to Ronald Reagan’s ranch. Eventually,
Lee retired to Fruita, where he resided for the last 21
years.
Lee was a big fan of old-time NASCAR, Fruita
Monument High School sports, the Colorado Rockies,
and classic Fords. He enjoyed being the adopted
Grandpa of many children, and appreciated the view
of the Colorado National Monument from his driveway.
But more than anything, Lee loved serving Christ and
loving others, especially his family. A deeply impactful
highlight of Lee’s life was literally walking in the
footsteps of Jesus and being baptized in the Jordan
River during his visit to Israel in 2014.
Lee is survived by his daughter, Leann (Matthew)
Manjarrez of Rocklin, California; his brother, Roger
(Liz) Porter of Nixa, Missouri; sister, Diana (Gary)
Adams of Greeley, Colorado; grandchildren, Adam
Manjarrez of Rocklin, California; Elijah Manjarrez of
San Francisco; nephews, Shawn (Jennifer) Porter of
Jacksonville, Florida and Glenn (Bonnie) Adams of
Severance, Colorado; his niece, Tammy Davidson of
Mesa, Arizona; five great-nieces; two great-nephews;
one great-great-nephew; and numerous cousins.
In his latter years, Lee was well-ministered to by his
beloved friends, Chanda Greager and Trace Tyler (and
family) of Grand Junction. He is preceded in death by
his parents; two aunts; four cousins; and one nephew,
Paul Porter.
A military honors service will be held Friday,
April 14, 2023 at 1 pm at the Veterans Memorial
Cemetery of Western Colorado. A celebration of life
will take place Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11 am at
Canyon View Vineyard Church. Please visit www.
dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/grand-junction-co/
vincent-porter-11221326 for live-streaming information
for the celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be
made in Lee’s name to Canyon View Vineyard Church,
736 24 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505 or www.
canyonviewchurch.com; or to Food Bank of the Rockies,
698 Long Acre Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81505 or
www.foodbankrockies.org.
