Ronald Guy Porter

Ronald Guy Porter passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, at his home in South Boston, Virginia, which he shared with his wife, Patricia, his partner of more than 25 years.

Ron was born March 8, 1949, in Queens, New York, and was a 1967 graduate of Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick. On March 18, 1969, Ron left for Fort Jackson, where he completed both basic training and AIT. By mid-August, he was deployed to Vietnam. He served with A Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, where he ultimately attained the rank of Sergeant and served as Lead Track Commander. During his service, the squadron was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross for sustained combat operations and Ron was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Ron extended his tour in exchange for an early out and returned to Long Island by the end of 1970, where he made his home for the next 50 years.

In the early 1970s, Ron went into the tree trimming business and for many years operated Climb ’Em High Tree Care as a certified arborist. When his body decided that his days of swinging from tree branches had come to an end, he jumped back into the driver’s seat and delivered fuel oil all over the island. After many years, the sacrifices he made in Vietnam were finally recognized, allowing him to stop working.

Ron was the kind of guy who could fix just about anything and could often be found tinkering in his garage, where he never passed up the chance to share an old war story with anyone who sat down, or just stood still for too long. When he wasn’t sharing tales of the past, he was content with his Budweisers, Marlboros, and old Westerns on the television.

While time and life healed the visible wounds from his service, the invisible ones lasted a lifetime. Like so many others, Ron suffered the consequences of Agent Orange exposure and the cancer that followed years later. Regardless, he was immensely proud of his service to his country, and being a Vietnam Veteran was central to who he was until the very end. He was tough as nails, but with a heart of gold.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Francis (Gabriel) Porter, and his brothers, Herbert and Ronald (“Little Ron”) Swensson. In addition to his wife, Patricia, he is survived by his best friend and brother, Wayne Porter, and his wife Karen; his half-brother Rodney Clisby, and his wife Karen; four daughters, Tammy, Corey, Jamee, and Katy; and his grandchildren, Jason and Bristle Rogers, Lucas and Colin Mascia, and Porter Newquist.

Also left to cherish his memory are nieces Kristen and Kelly, nephew Dwayne, the Clisby family of Ohio, as well as countless cousins and dear friends he made along the way.

Ron will be cremated, and his remains will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Those services will be private and plans for a celebration of his life, will be shared in due time.

In lieu of flowers or other customary remembrances, donations may be made in Ron’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project.