Anna Faltermeier/The Kearney CourierMack Porter poses Aug. 27 in the lumberyard at his store in Kearney.
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A community pillar
Mack Porter gives with the community in mind
By Carrie Alexander
There are very few lives in Kearney, or Clay County for that matter, that Mack Porter has not touched in some way. Many may not know the various contributions he has made over the years that in one way or another have made a vast impact on the community.
As a young man, Porter grew up living in the nearby community of Paradise on a modest farm. He learned at a young age the value of a dollar and the importance of a hard day’s work. It was there on the farm that he learned to appreciate the simple things in life and learned that giving back in any way possible was simply just what was right.
“We didn’t have any money growing up,” Porter said. “But I’m thankful because it taught me to appreciate what we had.”
Porter went on to serve his country in World War II. And after the war ended he went to college courtesy of the Army’s G.I. Bill.
“The Army educated a bunch of us old farm boys,” Porter said. “I couldn’t afford to go to school and serving in the Army allowed me to get an education. I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
With that education Porter came to Kearney and made it his home. He built homes and opened a lumberyard in addition to the many other jobs he held. He worked hard to make a name for himself and provide a comfortable life for his family but he never forgot the small farm he came from just a few miles down the road.
As his success in business grew, Porter took advantage of every opportunity to give back from serving on the school board to playing a crucial role in the development of Smithville Lake through his involvement on the Parks Board.
“I think he’s been on just about every board and every council there is,” Kent Porter said of his dad. “I can remember dinner time and he would have the phone cord stretched all the way to the table talking to someone about something. I would describe him as being the person who always tries to help the lost dog.”
When the railroad decided to sell a depot building on Washington Street, Porter purchased it and donated it to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in honor of his older brother who was killed while serving as a pilot in World War II.
But his contributions didn’t stop there. Porter realized the importance that having an education had on him and provided scholarships to Kearney athletes that, like him, may not have been able to attend college.
“Mack is a great guy, and I just can’t say enough good things about him,” said former superintendent Dick Loggerwell. “He gave scholarships to Kearney athletes and served this community in many different ways. I would consider him to be one of the pillars of this community.”
Porter saw the importance of creating a strong foundation for Kearney not only with the school district but also with the businesses. He saw that taking care of Kearney’s assets was the only way it would continue to grow.
“He was very instrumental in the growth of both our school district and the community,” Loggerwell said. “He has made a very, very positive contribution.
“It was also something he passed onto his children. His whole family has had a positive influence on Kearney and Clay County.”
In the 1960s Porter went door-to-door in his neighborhood to convince his neighbors of the importance getting a sewer installed along Eighth Street.
“Septic used to run out in the ditches,” Kent Porter said. “People now just can’t imagine Kearney being like that but that’s the way it was.”
Even today Porter continues to give, be it the land where the city of Kearney built a ballpark that they named after him, his monetary contributions made in honor of his good friend, Kenneth Doss, to the Kearney Amphitheater and even donating his materials, equipment and time to various community groups and organizations.
“It’s not just what he gives monetarily,” Park Director Eric Marshall said. “His knowledge and expertise alone is valuable to our community.
“His impact is enormous. He’s been a long-time community leader and without people like Mack, some projects just wouldn’t have been possible.”
Porter even touches the lives of hundreds of people outside of Kearney be it through those who visit the Amphitheater or those who come to take part in the Jesse James Festival. His contributions allow others to see Kearney as that small town community where everyone is united and helps out their neighbors.
“He’s been more than generous to us,” Jesse James Festival President Tom Sloan said. “Over the years, he’s donated his golf carts for us to use but also let us use his tractor and people mover (wagon). He’s sold us materials at or below cost if he even charged us for it at all. The impact that he has made in this community is simply immeasurable.”
And just when someone might think that he couldn’t possible give anymore, he does. He gives and gives to political campaigns, youth programs, athletic teams, the city and everyone in between.
“Mack Porter’s contributions have been more than just a financial commitment,” Superintendent Chris Belcher said. “I can remember, as a kid, Mack being very involved in athletics here in Kearney.
“I remember him there on the track firing the start gun. He’s just always been that kind of guy.”
He’s been the kind of guy that would donate the materials to build a cabin at the Kelsey Short Youth Camp near his hometown of Paradise for youth programs like Rangers for Youth.
He’s been the type of guy that spent his time, money and resources building a gymnasium without the assistance of an architect or bonds, so that the school district could save money.
And the type of guy that donates the use of his golf course and provides lumber for the high school’s various athletic teams. While at times his generosity has been taken advantage of, he continues to give, because as he said, he’s been blessed.
“I’m in the position to give,” Porter said. “I don’t want any credit. I’m just doing what I think is right. I’ve been really blessed.”
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
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As a young man, Porter grew up living in the nearby community of Paradise on a modest farm. He learned at a young age the value of a dollar and the importance of a hard day’s work. It was there on the farm that he learned to appreciate the simple things in life and learned that giving back in any way possible was simply just what was right.
“We didn’t have any money growing up,” Porter said. “But I’m thankful because it taught me to appreciate what we had.”
Porter went on to serve his country in World War II. And after the war ended he went to college courtesy of the Army’s G.I. Bill.
“The Army educated a bunch of us old farm boys,” Porter said. “I couldn’t afford to go to school and serving in the Army allowed me to get an education. I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
With that education Porter came to Kearney and made it his home. He built homes and opened a lumberyard in addition to the many other jobs he held. He worked hard to make a name for himself and provide a comfortable life for his family but he never forgot the small farm he came from just a few miles down the road.
As his success in business grew, Porter took advantage of every opportunity to give back from serving on the school board to playing a crucial role in the development of Smithville Lake through his involvement on the Parks Board.
“I think he’s been on just about every board and every council there is,” Kent Porter said of his dad. “I can remember dinner time and he would have the phone cord stretched all the way to the table talking to someone about something. I would describe him as being the person who always tries to help the lost dog.”
When the railroad decided to sell a depot building on Washington Street, Porter purchased it and donated it to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in honor of his older brother who was killed while serving as a pilot in World War II.
But his contributions didn’t stop there. Porter realized the importance that having an education had on him and provided scholarships to Kearney athletes that, like him, may not have been able to attend college.
“Mack is a great guy, and I just can’t say enough good things about him,” said former superintendent Dick Loggerwell. “He gave scholarships to Kearney athletes and served this community in many different ways. I would consider him to be one of the pillars of this community.”
Porter saw the importance of creating a strong foundation for Kearney not only with the school district but also with the businesses. He saw that taking care of Kearney’s assets was the only way it would continue to grow.
“He was very instrumental in the growth of both our school district and the community,” Loggerwell said. “He has made a very, very positive contribution.
“It was also something he passed onto his children. His whole family has had a positive influence on Kearney and Clay County.”
In the 1960s Porter went door-to-door in his neighborhood to convince his neighbors of the importance getting a sewer installed along Eighth Street.
“Septic used to run out in the ditches,” Kent Porter said. “People now just can’t imagine Kearney being like that but that’s the way it was.”
Even today Porter continues to give, be it the land where the city of Kearney built a ballpark that they named after him, his monetary contributions made in honor of his good friend, Kenneth Doss, to the Kearney Amphitheater and even donating his materials, equipment and time to various community groups and organizations.
“It’s not just what he gives monetarily,” Park Director Eric Marshall said. “His knowledge and expertise alone is valuable to our community.
“His impact is enormous. He’s been a long-time community leader and without people like Mack, some projects just wouldn’t have been possible.”
Porter even touches the lives of hundreds of people outside of Kearney be it through those who visit the Amphitheater or those who come to take part in the Jesse James Festival. His contributions allow others to see Kearney as that small town community where everyone is united and helps out their neighbors.
“He’s been more than generous to us,” Jesse James Festival President Tom Sloan said. “Over the years, he’s donated his golf carts for us to use but also let us use his tractor and people mover (wagon). He’s sold us materials at or below cost if he even charged us for it at all. The impact that he has made in this community is simply immeasurable.”
And just when someone might think that he couldn’t possible give anymore, he does. He gives and gives to political campaigns, youth programs, athletic teams, the city and everyone in between.
“Mack Porter’s contributions have been more than just a financial commitment,” Superintendent Chris Belcher said. “I can remember, as a kid, Mack being very involved in athletics here in Kearney.
“I remember him there on the track firing the start gun. He’s just always been that kind of guy.”
He’s been the kind of guy that would donate the materials to build a cabin at the Kelsey Short Youth Camp near his hometown of Paradise for youth programs like Rangers for Youth.
He’s been the type of guy that spent his time, money and resources building a gymnasium without the assistance of an architect or bonds, so that the school district could save money.
And the type of guy that donates the use of his golf course and provides lumber for the high school’s various athletic teams. While at times his generosity has been taken advantage of, he continues to give, because as he said, he’s been blessed.
“I’m in the position to give,” Porter said. “I don’t want any credit. I’m just doing what I think is right. I’ve been really blessed.”
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.