Most people dream of a life full of adventures, but centenarian Glyn Porter has lived it.
From serving in World War II to flying to islands in the Gulf of Mexico to skydiving at 90, he’s lived richly.
Porter celebrated turning 100-years-young on Saturday in a celebration at the MDR Hangar at the Columbia-Marion County Airport.
“I have been very blessed to live so long and do a lot,” he said.
He also said he didn’t age nor did he feel any different, noting he is lucky to be here and to live such a wonderful life.
“Flying airplanes!” Porter said was his favorite thing.
In 1919, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series after the White Sox threw it as part of the infamous Black Sox Scandal, Daylight Savings Time came to be, the Treaty of Versailles ended World War I and in Calhoun County, Mississippi, Porter was born on Oct. 26. He grew up in Greenwood.
Porter was married to his wife, Julia Nell Cook Porter, for 71 years before she died in April 2018. Together they had five children, Tom, the late Glyn Jr., Gail, Gloria and Lynn.
Porter worked as a lineman for the telephone company, building lines and setting up poles. He was a foreman and for years would teach safety and climbing, according to his son, Tom.
Porter joined the Navy in World War II, serving on Landing Ship Mediums 421 and 270, which carried the servicemen and equipment to the shores.
After serving in the war, he used the GI Bill to learn how to fly, starting a passion in him that has lasted his whole life.
Another passion he has is the Gulf of Mexico. After Porter was transferred to the Coast, he used to go out into the gulf in boats. But with his love of flying, he started flying out to the islands in the gulf: Cat Island, Chandelier Island, Free Mason Island from the late ‘50s to the late ‘80s.
Porter also became certified as a scuba diver, going out and spotting for marine life.
In 1971, still working with the telephone company, he moved to Columbia where his wife was from. Porter served as a Rotarian and received the club’s “Polecat Award” in 1976. The Rotary Club was one time involved with baseball and was asked to help with the lights before the season started. Porter climbed the poles, using hooks something he has taught others to do in the telephone company. He was 57-years-old at the time and still climbing poles.
With his passion for flying he became a flight instructor even teaching his son, Tom, how to fly. In fact there are now three generations of pilots in the family.
A lover of adventure, he — without telling his family — decided he wanted to go skydiving. He didn’t want to tell his family because he knew they would talk him out of it. At this point, Porter was 90 years. He told them afterward that he did it. When he was 93, he was able to do an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and spend the day.
His daughter Lynn English said he’s hard-headed and the hardest working man she knows, possessing “a drive like no other.”
Longtime pilot and friend Ken Prillhart said, “We have been friends for 35 years. He is an amazing man and helped me build my confidence as pilot.”
With a break in the weather, even at 100, Porter was able to enjoy a flight Saturday before he went back to the VA Home in Collins.
“He has been blessed and able to pack in a lot of life,” his son Tom said.
Pictured Above: Professional pilot and grandson Craig Landrum is all smiles as he gets to take his grandfather up in the air. Porter has said his favorite thing is flying planes. | Photo submitted
