Harold Porterfield

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo.— Harold Ray Porterfield, prominent Poplar Bluff and Southeast Missouri architect, died suddenly Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was 81 years old.

After having served two years in the U.S. Army during World War II and attending the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville School of Architecture, Mr. Porterfield began his architectural career moving to Poplar Bluff in early 1950.

In 1963, he started his own architectural firm, which later became known as H.R. Porterfield, Architect, specializing in education and commercial facilities. Of the more than 1,000 buildings he has designed throughout Southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, he was especially proud of the Black River Coliseum, the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, Administration Building and the Bess Student Activity Center on the campus of Three Rivers Community College, the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce building and First Community Bank.

He was the designer of many buildings in area school districts including Farmington, New Madrid, Bonne Terre, Dexter, Campbell, Bismarck, Oran and Poplar Bluff. For more than 40 years, Mr. Porterfield offered his clients the very best in design. He never tired of the excitement and challenge of "the next project."

Mr. Porterfield was a member of Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of directors from 1993 to 1996.

An avid and dedicated outdoorsman, he especially enjoyed his annual hunting and fishing trips to Canada with his son and grandson.

Mr. Porterfield was born Dec. 28, 1926, to Ellis Eldridge and Lela Porterfield in Piggott, Ark.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Porterfield, and a sister, Olga Jennings.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy; a daughter, Sherri of Liberty, Mo.; a son Doug, and wife Laurie; and four grandchildren, Elyse Marie, Ashley Marie, Collin Ray and Heather Marie Porterfield of Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Home, with the rosary at 6.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Coon officiating. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.