Clayton B Porter

April 7, 1946 – December 26, 2025

We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Clay Porter, passed away at home on December 26, 2025 with his wife, Doris, by his side. He was 79 years old.

Clay was born in Corvallis, Oregon on April 7, 1946 to parents Harry and Betty Porter. He was the eldest of 3 children, with his siblings Linda and Stuart. His early years were spent in Port Townsend, Washington enjoying a boys' life, with much fishing and summers playing outdoors – a time that sparked his lifelong love of fishing and sports. The family later moved to Kennewick, Washington when he was in Jr. High where he became an outstanding athlete, excelling in basketball in high school. He graduated from Kennewick High School in 1964.

In 1966 Clay's dad was transferred with Boise Cascade to International Falls, Minnesota so the whole family moved to the coldest spot in the nation. They rented a house on Rainy Lake and his dad came home one day with a ski boat, that was all he needed to have a fun summer and meet new friends. He attended college at Bemidji State College in Bemidji, Minnesota. Clay enjoyed Minnesota summers but not the cold winters. He met his wife, Doris Braaten, and they married in 1968. He missed the Pacific Northwest so after graduating from BSC we moved to Portland, Oregon with our son Aaron, living with Clay's parents while he found a job. Our second son, Adam was born in 1973 in Vancouver, Washington.

Clay had many jobs over the years but his favorite job was working for Boise Cascade, first at the Stanfield Starch plant in Stanfield, Oregon and then at Wallula, Washington. While living in Hermiston, Oregon, Clay spent countless hours fishing, hunting, and cheering on his boys in sports. Eventually we bought a boat and he taught them both how to waterski, barefoot ski and wakeboard. He loved spending time on the Columbia River with his family. As he grew older, Clay decided to trade softball and basketball for golf – a sport that became his true passion! We moved to Kennewick, Washington in 2001, found a home in Canyon Lakes close to the golf course and he was thrilled. He played golf there for 24 years and had many great friends and wonderful memories.

Clay cherished being a grampa! He loved trips to Salem, Oregon to see Ashley, Hailey and Adrian, staying in motels, swimming, fishing, visiting pumpkin patches, taking helicopter rides, and playing miniature golf. Visits to California to see Jillian and Andrew were filled with sports events and family fun. Later, Andrew and his dad Aaron would visit us in Arizona and Grampa and Andrew would visit many beautiful and challenging courses. Clay also went on a fishing trip with Aaron and Andrew to Alaska and Clay and Andrew caught 2 big halibut.

In 2010, tired of cold winters, we became snowbirds in Surprise, Arizona for 14 years, of course, many days of golfing in the sunshine. Clay loved having visits from our boys, grandkids and friends, and there was always golfing, baseball games and driving the golf cart.

Clay was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2022, a shock to all of us. But he accepted it with grace and no complaints. In 2024 as Clay's pulmonary fibrosis worsened, we sold our Arizona home and moved to a condo in Kennewick in 2025. Though his illness kept him from golfing, Clay remained grateful for a life well lived.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Betty, and his siblings Linda and Stu. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris; his children Aaron (Renee) and Adam (Krissy) and grandchildren Ashley, Hailey, Adrian, Jillian and Andrew, and nephew Curtis Porter. He also leaves behind his special little girl Maggie, faithful companion and therapy dog.

A celebration of life will be held May, 16th, 2026 at 1pm at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home on Union Street in Kennewick, Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of your choice.

We love you and miss you Dad!