Gail B Porritt

On May 13, 2017 Gail Brunker Porritt left this life for the next. Born premature on 18 July 1928 in Boise, Idaho to Thomas Orval Porritt and Florence Brunker, his story nearly ended there. Shortly after birth he stopped breathing and was pronounced dead. After receiving a blessing from his father, he began breathing again.

Gail grew up in the shadows of the Great Depression with few material belongings. He lived on a small farm and slept for years in a tent with his brother, Budge. He attended Boise High School and Boise Jr. College, where he was very active in athletics and social clubs.

In 1947, he married Donna Lou Heath in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had six children. He worked as a traffic control engineer for Idaho Department of Highways and later Utah Department of Highways. He also worked for Hercules Powder Company. In 1963, he and Donna divorced, but he maintained a strong relationship with his six children, visiting them often, even into his old age.

In 1968, he married Mary Kane in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived for a time in Boise before moving to California where he worked for the Gilsabind Company. Including Mary’s son from a previous marriage, they had four children. In 1970, they moved to Cedar City, Utah to manage an asphalt plant. It was there that tragedy struck twice with a fire at the plant, in which Gail was badly burned, and just a few months later the death of their daughter Linda.

They returned to California for a time before settling for good in St. George, Utah in 1974. Gail traveled extensively with his work and saw many parts of the world. He served in many LDS Church positions throughout his life before becoming disaffected with the Church. He will be remembered not only as a hard worker and a self-made man, but as a kind and loving grandpa and father whose jovial laugh and smile made everyone feel loved.

He is survived by his wife Mary, sons Gail and Larry, daughter Kris (Kenny Law), sons Curt (Judy) and Gary (Teresa), Jason Hauck (Nancy), and daughters Vicki (Eric Raskas) and Jenny (Todd Condie). He is proceeded in death by daughter Linda and son Ron. Gail has 26 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

A family graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Tonaquint Cemetery.

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