James Baxter Porter Jr. (Jim) passed on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the age of 86. Jim was born in Joplin, Missouri on January 1, 1930 to James Baxter Porter and Mary Bingham Porter. He attended school in Joplin where he lettered in basketball, football and golf.

In 1949 he attended the University of Missouri, Columbia where he was a member of ROTC and Sigma Nu Fraternity. Jim graduated from the School of Business and Public Administration in 1952 with a BS in accounting. He continued to support the University as a member of The Jefferson Club and the Herbert J. Davenport Society.

Upon graduation from MU he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and served his country for two years.

In 1951 Jim married Catherine Ann Ditson (Kay), his high school sweetheart. They were blessed with a son, James B. Porter III and a daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Betsy). This storybook marriage spanned 65 years of love and joy!

In 1954, Jim accepted a job with Baird, Kurtz and Dobson Accounting firm (BKD) in Springfield, Missouri. Soon afterwards he passed the CPA exam and within a few years, made partner in the firm. Jim retired at age 65 after 42 years with BKD. He maintained the high standard of excellence required by his profession, and was a loyal and trustworthy friend and adviser to all of his clients throughout his life.

Jim rose through the various offices of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants and became President of MSCPA in 1971-72 with 1750 members. Jim also served as President of the Missouri State Board of Accountancy, and was an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. University of Missouri Columbia's B & PA School awarded him their highest alumni award, Citation of Merit Award for "outstanding professional achievements" in 1994.

Jim also consistently served the Springfield community through volunteer work. He was chairman of the Speech and Hearing Board, President of Greene County Estate Planning; Board member of the TB Society; twice President of Springfield Jaycees; President of the Airport Board; President of the Rotary Club of Springfield, both Jim and his wife are Paul Harris Society members. He was a member of both the chamber of Commerce and United Way Boards; and a 60-plus year member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.

An avid golfer throughout his life, Jim and Kay joined Twin Oaks Country Club in 1961. He served as secretary of the Board. Later in 1990, Jim and Kay became charter members of Highland Springs Country Club where they built their home and Jim served for nine years as President of the Board of Directors.

In addition to golf, supporting the interests and achievements of their children and grandchildren brought Jim and Kay special joy! Good friends and travel also enriched their lives, and after Jim retired they enjoyed many trips throughout the world: their favorite being 3 weeks in Australia and New Zealand; 3 weeks touring the Orient; and 3 fascinating cruises through the Panama Canal. Sharing adventures kept them young.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister, Sally Joesaphine Porter Morrow of Carthage, MO. Also cousins: Robert Dreisbach and Mary Gertrude (Trudy) Dreisbach Tignor and his nephew, James Peter Morrow.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kay, and two children and their families: Jim III and wife Pamela, of Atlanta, GA and Colleton River, SC; Elizabeth Porter Rountree and husband Larry Kim of Augusta, KS; four grandchildren: Caleb Ryan Porter and wife Andrea of Portland, OR; Abraham Seth Porter and wife Meagen of Bluffton, SC; Elizabeth Jane Porter Cavenaugh and husband Joel of Washington, DC; and Robert James Rountree of Augusta, KS; eight great-grandchildren full of promise and loved by all: Colin, Jake and Stella Porter; Monroe and Abraham, II Porter; Willa and Eleanor Cavanaugh; and Emily Rountree. Jim's late nephew, James Peter Morrow is survived by his three children: Amy, Charles, and Sarah of Phoenix, AZ. Also surviving are Jim's sister-in-law, Helen and Ralph Snoke of Santa Fe, NM and daughters, Deborah Forrest and Diane Kliebenstein of Dallas, TX.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. A reception and visitation will follow the service in the Club House of Highland Springs Country Club. Jim chose to be cremated with final resting place at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in South Springfield.

Memorial donations may be made to First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, 820 E. Cherry, Springfield, MO 65806, or the Rotary Foundation, Rotary International ( www.rotary.org/foundation/ ) 1717 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, MO 65804.