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Chester 'Bud' Ports Shreveport, LA QCWA # 9842 Chapter 85 |
SHREVEPORT, LA - A graveside service celebrating the life of Chester 'Bud' Ports, 92, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2009, at Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville, LA. Officiating will be Dr. Greg Hunt.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Funeral Home.
Bud was born January 13, 1917 in Wooster, OH and passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at Charleton Methodist Hospital in DeSoto, TX. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Shreveport. Bud started flying at age 14 and hoped to someday fly for Eastern Airlines. World War II changed those plans. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was discharged as a Basic Instructor in 1945. Bud returned to Akron Airways as pilot after World War II. Shortly thereafter was employed as Flight Instructor and Director of Firestone Flying Club. During this time he taught Roger Firestone, son of Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company to fly. He flew co-pilot on a DC-3 from 1947-1953 for the Aero Physics Lab, Goodyear Tier and Rubber Company.
He moved to Shreveport with his late wife, Dottie, in the early 50's and started Ports Electronic Company. Bud sold the business in 1965 and founded Port's Flying Enterprises, Aerobatic Flying School in 1968. He was a member of Shreveport Lions Club, Quiet Birdman's known as "QB's". His passion of flying was complimented by his love of Ham-Radio, W5AJS. Bud was first president of EAA Chapter 343.
His wife of 65 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Ports, preceded Bud in death December 27, 2008. Survivors are his daughter, Connie Mathieson and husband, Kenyon; grandsons, Jay Mathieson and wife, Kate and Dr. Stephen Mathieson and wife, Deanna; and three great grandchildren, Kenleigh, Andrew and Brandon Mathieson.
Memorials may be made to the Senior Ministries of First Baptist Church of Shreveport. Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Marshall St. Chapel 222-0348.
Published in Shreveport Times on Feb. 5, 2009