Evan Dwain Porter 88, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2015. Dwain was born in Prescott, Arizona August 4, 1926. At age 18 he joined the Navy and served during WW II. While stationed in Charleston, South Carolina he met his wife to be, Marjorie Saxon. They raised their 7 children in South Carolina and Georgia. Dwain was an educator with a PhD in Biology and taught college for a number of years. He later developed and marketed his own speed reading course always desiring to improve the minds and lives of those around him. He moved his family back to his beloved Arizona in 1975, where in Mesa he continued to work in the education field and established permanent roots. Dwain was a member of the LDS church and served as a Bishop as well as accepting and fulfilling numerous other responsibilities throughout his life. He especially loved serving in the Mesa temple for a number of years. After the death of his wife Marjorie in 2007 he married another Margie, Margie Brown Kleinman who has been a wonderful companion and blessing these last 7 years. Dwain is survived by his wife Margie, his children, Janine Porter, Mesa, AZ, Richard Porter (Jane), Gilbert, AZ, Kimball Porter (Becky), Gilbert, AZ, Ryan Porter (Barbara), Mesa, AZ, Catherine Neville (Chris) Modesto, CA, Juli Cookson (Scott) Orlando, FL, and Suzanne Rosenow (Troy) Pickerington, OH. Stepchildren are Kimberlee Decker (Dean), Kyle Kleinman (Tammy), Tod Kleinman (Dina), Jeff Kleinman (Roz), and Robin Poppe (Brad). There are 33 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie Saxon and their son Evan Dwain, Jr. Services will be held at the LDS Church at 933 E. Brown Rd Mesa, AZ 85203. on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00am with a visitation that same morning at 9:00am. Funeral arrangements are provided by Horizon Funeral Care, 7510 E Main St. Mesa, AZ 85207, 480-338-1497.

Published in The Arizona Republic on May 27, 2015.