Funeral services for Jimmy Joe Porter, Age 83 of Sparta, Missouri will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Girdner Church located on P Highway in Squires, Missouri:
Visitation 1:00PM and Funeral Service 2:00 PM
A brief graveside service will follow in Girdner Cemetery.
Jimmy Joe Porter passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025, at his home in Sparta, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83 years old.
Jimmy was born on June 17, 1942, in Girdner, Missouri, to Orba and Neva (McKnight) Porter.
He faithfully served his country as a member of the United States National Guard.
On December 15, 1967, Jim married Connie Castleberry in Sultan, Washington. Together they shared 57 years of marriage and raised five children: Mary Jo, Trisha, Carrie, Alan, and Nathan.
Jim’s greatest calling in life was his devotion to the Lord. He was a devout member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and ministered the Word of God wherever he went, preaching, teaching, singing, or simply offering a kind word and a prayer. He had a deep love for truth found in the scriptures and a passion for witnessing to others of the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. He believed in living out his faith daily, and his example touched countless lives—family, friends, and strangers.
Beyond Ministry, Jim found joy in playing his guitar and singing, often filling his home with music. He loved life on the farm, whether tending to his goats, working in the timber, or running his excavator. These simple pleasures reflected his love of hard work and the outdoors. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith and bringing laughter to those around him with his wit and humor.
Jim is survived by his wife, Connie (Castleberry) Porter; his children, Mary Jo Porter, Trisha (Michael) Granich, Carrie (Adam) Swarthout, Alan (Jeni) Porter, and Nathan Porter; eight grandchildren, Leisha Combs, Alexander Porter, Raven Swarthout, Morgan Granich, Porter Johnson, Elsie Porter, Ava Porter, and Hadley Porter; and one great-grandchild, Lyla Vivian. He is also survived by his brother Leonard (Sandy) Porter of Squires, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lonnie Porter, and Richard Porter; and his sisters, Wanda Yerby and Zola Phillips.
