Howard Porter, of Rockwall, TX, passed away January 9, 2018, at the age of 88. He was born September 29, 1929, in Higden, AR, to Lester L. and Maudie H. (Winfrey) Porter. As an only child, Howard grew up in the Arkansas Ozarks. After high school graduation in a class of five, he followed other men in the family and became a barber. In 1950, Howard joined the new US Air Force and served as a Cold War radar operator in Morocco, where he also ran a barber shop on the side. He eventually became a businessman with Texaco, then Allstate Insurance. Howard retired early and traveled with his wife, Wanda, and their friends in Airstream trailers to nearly every state. He enjoyed riding horses with his daughter, Laura, and attending horse shows where they both did barrel racing and pole bending. Eventually he became bored with retirement and returned to his first trade, cutting hair until he was 80. Howard was very unique minded, talented and crafty. He could fix anything and even built his house! He loved his grandchildren and they would always bring a smile to his face. Howard is survived by his loving wife of 70 years: Wanda Porter; sons: Howard Porter, II, and Russ Porter and wife Karen; daughter: Laura Porter Hairston and husband Jeff; grandchildren: Jesse Porter and wife Moira, Howard L. Porter, III, and wife Katy, Kristen Jackson, Dr. Ryan Porter and wife Dr. Chelsea Porter, Grant Hairston and wife Katy and Allison Whitehouse and husband Mason; and great grandchildren: Logan Jackson, Juliette Porter, Kali Whitehouse and Isabel Porter; along with a host of loving relative and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Dallas VA Hospital and hospice. As a veteran, Howard received excellent care where their motto is, "You were there when we needed you, now we'll be here when you need us."