Michael (“Mike”) Anthony Porter, age 53, of Liberty, Kentucky went to be with Jesus on February 4, 2025. Mike was the beloved son of Mae Thomas Thompson and the dear brother of Melissa Thompson Richardson. Mike sustained a head injury when he was 3-years-old that greatly altered his life. He said his father hit him in the head. After several surgeries to try to repair the damage that was done, it was clear that Mike would not be the same. His life was plagued by frequent seizures and he has been bed-bound for the last 30 years.
In spite of the tragedy that befell his life, Mike was always ready to go. He liked looking out the window and preferred the front seat. He knew “going” usually meant that a restaurant was involved. He loved to eat and also see friends along the way, especially his friend Joey, at the Bread of Life, who was always so kind to lavish attention on Mike. He enjoyed his Sunday dinners (especially if it involved any type of noodle) and the milkshake that he usually got afterward.
Mike loved his music. Elvis was his favorite, but, he would also do his best to sing along with Glenn Campbell, George Jones, and many others. He was especially fond of the Coaster’s song, “Charlie Brown,” as he would get very exasperated when Charlie Brown would ask “who me?” and yell out “yeah, you!” with the chorus of responders demanding that Charlie Brown straighten up. On that note, it is also important to mention that Mike had a strong sense of justice; he almost never missed an opportunity to tattle on his sister and almost always demanded that she be spanked for any offense! Occasionally, though, he would show mercy.
Mike loved old shows, particularly Happy Days. He loved imitating the Fonz – he lit up the room every single time he was called upon to do so! He was a performer at heart, as he would also do requests to say nursery rhymes and make various animal sounds. His best noises, though, were when he would rev his motorcycle engine or squeal his wheels.
Mike loved his time in school too, especially his classmates and his teachers, Hilda Costello and Alma Vida Weddle, who were always so kind to him. When Ms. Costello would enter the room, he would yell, “Lights, Camera, Action!” He loved his bus driver Frances Marples and aid, Beverly Rogers, too.
Because of the long-term damage to his brain from so many seizures and the copious amount of medicine he required to keep his seizures as stable as possible, Mike had a strong stutter and would not attempt to talk much. However, when he did talk, he usually left everyone in stitches because whatever he said would be both hilarious and spot-on for the situation.
Mike was greatly loved by his family; he would light up every time his mom would sing “You are my special angel” to him. Those lyrics fit Mike perfectly:
You are my special angel
Sent from up above
The Lord smiled down on me
And sent an angel to love.
You are my special angel
Right from paradise
I know you’re an angel
Heaven is in your eyes.
Though Mike has left this world, he has gone to his glorious heavenly home, where he will have no more pain, and we can rejoice in that. He will be so greatly missed, but, we will work to meet him in that Sweet By-and-By.
Visitation will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday February 7th, 2025, at Bartle Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday February 7th, 2025, at Bartle Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Scott Caldwell officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Contown.
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