Kenneth Wayne Porter “Freight Train”, 82 of West Monroe, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 in West Monroe. A visitation will be held from 12:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe. A private family graveside service will be held after visitation.

Kenneth was born on May 25, 1941 to Gabe Porter Sr. and Maxine Wilson Porter in Bastrop, Louisiana. He was the third of nine children and grew up in Bastrop and Bonita but spent most of his youth in Orange, Texas.

Kenneth was a member of First Assembly in West Monroe. Kenneth never met a stranger and definitely had the gift of gab. He loved the Lord and would gladly talk about Him to everyone. Kenneth also loved Southern Gospel Music and the last word he said was the name of “Jesus”.

Kenneth had a big heart and loved children. He loved to tell long stories fresh from his imagination and blowing the train whistle was a bonus. Kenneth also loved to deer hunt and going to the camp.

He drove a “big truck” for about 40 years and estimates driving about one million miles. Kenneth loved seeing the country and being a driver. He retired after many years in 2013 from MidSouth Extrusion. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tammy; son, Terry; brothers, Leon, Harold, and Ronnie Porter; sisters, Shirley Porter, Libby Graves; father and mother – in –law, Cecil and Bonnie Nall.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 53 ½ years, Cricket Nall Porter, married November 13, 1970 after dating for 2 years. He not only gained a wife but also a daughter, Tammy, who was 5 years old. Kenneth is also survived by the apple of his eye, granddaughter, Tanasha Varino and husband Richie and three more loves , great grandchildren, Dhayne, Sophie and Alyse Varino. His heart was also blessed many “adopted” kids, grands and great-grands; sister, Mary Lee Green (Glen); brother, Gabe Porter, Jr.(Janice); sisters – in – love, Merle Doggett, Glenda Porter, Trudy Porter; brother – in – love, Buddy Nall.

Pallbearers will be David Patterson, Brandon Coleman, Chris Coleman, Terry Coleman, Bobby Fife, and Daniel Fife. Honorary pallbearers will be Rickey Milton, Eugene Sutton, Robert Garrett, Popeye Richmond and the drivers he worked with through the years.

The family would like to thank La Hospice for their care of Kenneth.

In lieu of flowers, Kenneth would be honored that memorials were made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the cemetery fund at Loch Arbor Baptist Church, 3960 Hwy 139, Monroe, Louisiana 71203.

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