Harold Ray Porterfield

Harold Ray Porterfield, prominent Poplar Bluff and Southeast Missouri architect, died suddenly on Wednesday, October 1st at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. He was 81 years old.

After having served two years in the United States 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 educations and commercial facilities. Of the over 1000 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 the 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 over 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 the 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 on December 28, 1926 to Ellis Eldridge and Lela Porterfield in Piggott, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his brother Earl Porterfield and his sister Olga Jennings.

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

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 6th at Cotrell Funeral Home from 6 to 8 pm with a rosary at 6 pm with visitation to follow. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 7th at 10:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father David Coon officiating. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery.