Ellis Clayton Porter

Ellis Clayton Porter, age 89, of Conowingo, MD passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024. He was born in Shippensburg, PA to the late Henry Clayton Porter and Florence Mary (Sibley) Porter. In addition to his parents, Ellis was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Sherman Porter; brother, Howard “Hank” Porter and sister, Virginia Lee Ostheimer.

Ellis served in the US Navy from 1954 to 1957 as a parachute rigger on the USS Coral Sea in the Mediterranean. He then worked with the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commission and finished his career as a Federal Game Warden on Aberdeen Proving Ground. Ellis was a self-taught artist and created paintings of wildlife, Native Americans, and Maryland scenery. Some knew him as a spontaneous cartoonist as well. He enjoyed archery, fishing, wildlife photography, and exhibited educational presentations of his photography at local schools, clubs, and organizations.  He was an avid birdwatcher and served as President of the Harford County chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society. He was known to be a vintage movie buff, his favorite movie being “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Ellis is survived by his children: Tracey L. Porter and Robin Glaser (Bo); step children: Tracy Sheppard (Gina) and Tammy Heintz; and four grandchildren: Alex Coon (Lydia), Nicole Heintz, Aleia Heintz, and Seth Allen. He is also survived by first wife and mother of his children, Arylene (Tracey) Linker, brother-in-law, Paul Ostheimer, and niece Carrie Yocum (Wally) and various other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to “Toys for Tots,” “Wreaths Across America,” or “Plant a Tree thru Living Tribute” and send in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911.