Jerry "Big Iron" Porter

Jerry Porter AKA Big Iron was born July 20, 1944 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was one of twelve children born to Robert Arthur Porter Sr. and Fannie Elizabeth (Jackson) Porter. Jerry regularly attended MacDonald Avenue Church of Christ in Richmond, CA. 

Jerry was a graduate of Manual Training High School 1962 where he began his affinity for golfing at the age of 14. Jerry was on the Manual Training High School Honor Roll throughout his high school years.  Jerry was a proud graduate of Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma where he majored in Chemistry. Jerry was the top-ranked golfer atLangston University for 4 years. He remained the #1 golfer for years following his departure from the University.  In 1969, Jerry Porter married his college sweetheart, Darlene Sanders of Guthrie, Oklahoma. To this union one child was born. 

After college, Jerry moved to California and began his career as a Chemist at Dow Chemical Company working in Michigan and California. Jerry quickly moved up the career ladder and promoted to a Superintendent supervising a team of Operators in the Chemical Plant. In 1973, at Dow Chemical Company’s Golf Tournament, Jerry won the Dow Individual Championship. Jerry retired from Dow Chemical Company after working there for over 20 years. 

After retirement from Dow Chemical Company, Jerry began playing golf more frequently and spending a lot more time operating his golf store Big Iron Golf Mart in Vallejo, CA where he has an inventory of over 10,000 golf clubs. Jerry also served as a mentor to many new golfers in Northern California. 

Jerry enjoyed watching football, basketball, and golf.  His favorite teams were Oklahoma Sooners, Baltimore Ravens, and golfer Tiger Woods. He recently enjoyed watching the WNBA Golden State Valkyries. Jerry was a scratch elite golfer and was encouraged by many to go pro. His golf handicap was less than 10 and he always had a low handicap. When golf foursome teams were made, Jerry was always the first to be selected. Jerry has a room full of golf trophies from winning several golf tournaments. Jerry also loved politics and kept abreast of Democratic news. 

Jerry’s legacy lives on through his daughter; Pamela Porter and grandson Daven  Dews (Vallejo, CA). He also leaves to cherish his memories; his brother Michael Porter, niece Sherita Shumate (Oklahoma City, OK), brother Dennis Porter, nephew Rashan Ross (Oklahoma City, OK), sister Maria Rowland, niece Marquita Rowland (Muskogee, OK), sister Phyllis Porter, niece Phylisia Porter (Muskogee, OK), Cousin Lonnie Porter (Muskogee, OK) along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jerry was devoted to his family and maintained regular contact with them.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Robert Porter Sr. and Fannie Porter, former wife Darlene Porter, brother Phillip Porter, brother Raymond Porter, brother Albert Porter, brother Robert Porter, sister LaVerne Owens, sister Jeanette Ceasar, sister Alice Hitchye and Cousin Delores Jackson. 

Home Going Services on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 1:00pm at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church in Benicia, CA. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Cemetary in Vallejo, CA. 

...

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry "Big Iron" Porter, please visit our floral store.