Elzo Bruce Porter, age 68, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017 during a vacation to Davao City, Philippines. He was born on August 22, 1948 in Walla Walla, Washington to Elzo Eugene and Rebecca Rowley Porter, and raised by his step mother Diane Harris Porter. He grew up in Walla Walla, and later moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he graduated from Westside High School in 1966. At the age of 16, he worked in the pacific islands as a seaman. He loved the feeling of traveling and began a life of touring the world. He joined the US Air Force in 1968, honorably discharged in 1978; then the Army Reserve (1978-1982). His areas of service included Korea, Germany, South Carolina and Spain, where he produced film and quality documentaries for the military. He continued to add to his skills: writing and video tape broadcasting news stories, public information, sports, etc; complete photography skills in still photo location shooting or studio photography, dark room film and developing, printing black and white and color slides, multi-media audio production experience, and animation. He could arrange music, play guitar, sing and play keyboard.
He attended both BYU (75-76) and the University of Utah (76-77), Ottawa University in Kansas (85-86) and graduated from Golden Gate University (1990). He earned a Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Public Administration. During his career he received the Keith L. Ware Award for News magazine (1978), Forth Estate Award of Excellence in Journalism from US Army (1979), Red Cross Communications Excellence Award (European Area - 1981-82), Best Internal Communications Support/Public Affairs Office of the Year Air Training Command (1985-86).
His world travels took him to American Samoa, where he met Ruth Lobitos. They were married on August 30, 2007 in Apia, Samoa. They made their home in American Samoa, and later moved to Salt Lake City in 2009. They were sealed on April 8, 2011 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He was a faithful member of the LDS Church serving as a home teacher and employment specialist.
Bruce is survived by his wife: Ruth; first wife: Sandra Scott; children: Sean, Emily, Kedron, Brendon, Arianna; 7 grandchildren; siblings: Barbara, Marion, Jeananne, Jenny, Pamela.
A Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 11:00 AM at the Oak City Cemetery.