PERU – Arthur Robert Porter Jr., “Junior,” 88, of Peru, died peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 9, with family at his side.

He was born Oct. 15, 1919, in Hartford, a son of Arthur Robert and Edith (Young) Porter. He received his education in local schools and was a veteran, having served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Beatrice Irene Knox on Nov. 15, 1940 in Mexico. She died Sept. 28, 2001.

“Junior” was a self-employed businessman and entrepreneur. He was a lumberman, owned and operated local gas stations, was a partner in the Case tractor dealership in Farmington and Peru and was a partner in Tree King Manufacturing, a manufacturer of hydraulic loaders for pulp trucks.

He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Eagles. For 20 years, he and his wife lived in various areas in Florida, particularly in the Deltona and Clearwater areas. He enjoyed RV camping and traveled extensively with family and friends to Alaska and the West Coast, as well as other parts of the United States.

He is survived by two sons, Arthur Porter III, “Larry,” and his wife, Darlene, of Peru and Jeffrey T. Porter of Dixfield; a daughter, Sandra L. Nash and her husband, Craig, of Dixfield; a brother, Ellery Porter and his wife, Edith, of Peru; four grandchildren, Tracy Rackliffe, Debbie Shurtleff, Alyssia Porter and Myriah Porter; four great-grandchildren, Tyler and Tyson Rackliffe and Miranda and Shelby Shurtleff.

He was predeceased by siblings, Waldo Porter, Eleanor Porter and Inez Hannah.