Patrick Aaron Porter, 62 of Oakley died on July 9, 2025 at his home southwest of Oakley. He was born on June 27, 1963 to J.G. (Pete) Porter and Mary Ann (Temaat) Porter in Oakley and was the youngest of five children.
Pat grew up in Oakley attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Oakley Public Schools in Jr. High and High school. He graduated with the class of 1981. Following graduation Pat farmed with his dad southwest of Oakley. He also worked for short periods of time for Ed Mildenberger and his uncle and Godfather Al Temaat.
Inside this big tall man was a guy with a great big heart. Pat was a friend to all and never knew a stranger. He was generous and would give you the shirt off his back. He never missed a chance to say hello and in most cases sit down for a chat. His presence was big and if Pat was in the room you knew it.
Pat did not take himself or life too seriously. He lived to have fun and tell stories. When meeting Pat in town, you were sure to be greeted with a big loud hello, a huge wave with his big arm and many times a hug. Next thing he would say was, “Did I ever tell you about the time………….” and he was off to tell you a story.
Pat loved to have friends at the farm whether for working cattle or for a party in the barn his Grandfather Temaat built. Cowboys to help work cattle were treated to steak and cold libations when the work was done. Pat was very well staffed for working cattle!!!! Parties in the barn were his favorite and he often had a karaoke machine and someone to provide wagon rides pulled by a team of horses.
At Christmas time Pat was often one of Santa’s helpers, attending family gatherings and riding on the fire truck in the light parade. Again Pat had stories about this told only the way Pat could tell a story about kids that loved Santa and kids that were so afraid they had an accident on Santa’s lap.
Pat had a very strong faith being a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He served as a lector and a Eucharistic Minister and was active in the Knight of Columbus serving as the Grand Knight at one time. When ending a phone call with Pat, he would often say, “you pray for me and I’ll pray for you.” In the last year of his life, Pat led a rosary weekly at the Logan County Manor for the residents.
Pat’s love of life, kind heart and joy will be missed by his surviving sisters, Cheryl (Daryl) Goetz, Park, Pam (Leroy) Schmidtberger, Collyer, Linda (Mark) Butler, Lone Tree, CO, his brother James B. Porter of Oakley, nine nieces and nephews, many cousins and many, many friends. Waiting for Patrick in heaven are his parents, many aunts and uncles and two 1st cousins.
Visitation is 5-7:00 pm, with a Vigil at 7:00 pm Monday July 14, 2025 at Baalmann Mortuary in Oakley. Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday July 15 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley with burial in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com