Ralph Raymond Porter

Chief Ralph Raymond Porter, Jr. Florence, SC Chief Ralph Raymond Porter, Jr., 66, of Florence, SC passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2014 at the McLeod Hospice House after an illness. Chief Porter was born in Panama City, FL a son of the late Ralph Raymond Porter, Sr. and Nora Moore Porter.From 1968 to 1972 he was a US Navy Second Class Petty Officer assigned to EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) as a diver and served two tours in Vietnam. He received his Masters Degree in Management, was a FBI National Academy graduate, 146th Session and retired as Chief of Police for the City of Florence in December 2000. Ralph served in law enforcement in Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and South Carolina spanning 30 years.He was a member of the FBI National Academy Graduates Association, lifetime member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, lifetime member of the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association, a member of the Florence Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Hampton Lodge #204, lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, was a South Carolina State Constable, Founder and Executive Director of Choices Charter School since its inception in August 2002, a member of the South Carolina Charter Schools Association and was a Central United Methodist Church Lay Speaker.He was the recipient of the Boys and Girls Club Champions for Youth Award in 2011 and a recipient of the Marion Medallion for Distinguished Service to the People of the Pee Dee by Francis Marion University and the Florence Morning News in 2013. Ralph enjoyed golfing, camping and fishing and motorcycle riding. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Georgette Renee Porter, who passed away on 2000 and a brother-in-law, Derryl Whittemore, who also passed away in 2014. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Marlene Roberts Porter of Florence; daughter, Samantha (Tono Cumbo) Somervill of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Alexandra Somervill of Richmond, VA; step-grandson, Ben Cumbo of Richmond, VA; sister, Ella Rose Whittemore of Lynn Haven, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, Camp Sexton and Missions Fund, 225 W. Cheves Street, Florence, SC29501, Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs, 1209 National Cemetery Road, Florence, SC29506 or to McLeod Hospice of the Pee Dee, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC29502. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Central United Methodist Church directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.A private burial will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Please sign the tribute wall for Chief Porter at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.