George Porterfield

George A. PorterfieldFuneral Service for George A. Porterfield, 88, of Dickinson, ND will be 3:00 p. m. (CDT) Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. with burial to follow. Visitation will be from 1:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson. Visitation will continue from 8:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. George passed away Sunday, May 29, 2011 at St. Benedict?s Health Center, Dickinson, ND. Georg A. Porterfield was born September 12, 1922 to James and Myrtle (White) Porterfield, in Middletown, OH. He grew up there and attended school. After graduating from Middletown High School in 1941, George enlisted in the United States Navy. During World War II George served through out the Pacific Theater, starting at the Solomon Islands and finishing at Okinawa Japan. He was involved in over18 major battles while serving on four different ships: O?brien, Duncan, Boise and Bennett. While aboard the U. S. S. Duncan, George survived a Kamikaze torpedo that sunk the ship in shark infested waters, before being rescued 13 days later. George finished the war aboard the U. S. S. Bennett, which was retired after the war, due to battle damage. He continued to serve in the Navy during the Korean War and Post Korean War. On September1st, 1964, George retired as Senior Chief Machinist E8. Later that month he married Violet (Heitz) Retzer on September 22, 1964 in Bismarck, ND. On October 1st, George began working for the General Services Administration. This led him to various posts in Bismarck, ND, Minot, ND, Des Moines, IA, and Kansas City, MO, before retiring in 1977 as a GS 14. George and Vi eventually moved to Jamestown, ND, where they made their home for a number of years. The couple moved to Dickinson in 2009 and has made their home there since. George loved fishing, as well as boating and camping. He was an avid reader and past member of the American Legion. George was also proud of his college degree that he earned through correspondence while serving in the Navy. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 46 years, Violet; two step-children, Charlotte Dempsey, Dickinson; Deborah Masters of Sausalito, CA; five step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by both of his parents, three brothers, Malbert, Donnie and Billy Porterfield; four sisters, Leonora Downs, Leona McGuiere, Alettra Coyner, and Ollie Kitzan.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: June 1, 2011
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Wednesday; North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND