Mr. A. Bruce Porter, 80, of Fernandina Beach passed away Monday, May 25, 2021. at the Warner Center for Caring.

Born in Dundee, FL, Mr. Porter came to Fernandina Beach at the age of 4 with his parents, the late John David and Edna Halstead Porter.

He was a member of the 1958 graduating class of Fernandina Beach High School. ln 1961, he joined the U. S. Navy and began flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He would later serve on the USS Constellation as a yeoman and was especially proud of being a "Shellback" having crossed the "line" (Equator) as well as having "sailed around the Horn". He continued his service as a member of the Naval Reserves until 1967.

Mr. Porter met his future wife, Renee in Atlanta. Their marriage would span 52 happy years. While in Atlanta he and his partner established Dodson Steel Products, lnc, and retired in 1995 after a very successful career. Following retirement, Mr. Porter returned home to Fernandina Beach.

Mr. Porter was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, golf and fishing. As part of his extensive travels he was able to pursue his love of these sports on some of his many trips both in the United States and many other countries. He also attended numerous American Veterans Center Conferences in Washington, DC, honoring all branches of military service. He especially enjoyed meeting WWII veterans, such as the Doolittle Raiders, the Tuskegee Airmen (the Redtails) and a surviving paratrooper of the 442nd Japanese Battalion. And, for many years was a member of the President's Club of the Heritage Foundation.

ln addition to his parents, Mr. Porter was predeceased by his brothers, John David Porter and Martin Edward Porter and sister, Lillie Louise Porter Wiggins.

He leaves behind his wife, Renee Freeman Porter, his nephews, Jack Wiggins and Martin Wiggins (Julieanne); Bruce A. Porter (Leslie) and grand-nephew, Chris Wiggins, and numerous cousins and extended family.

Funeral services for Mr. Porter will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 beginning at 10:00 AM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends Friday, June 11, 2021 at the funeral home from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.

He will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the American Veterans Center, 1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 910, Arlington, VA 222O1, Attn: James C. Roberts, President