Philip Earl Porter

Philip Earl Porter, 69, of Spartanburg, SC was born October 13, 1955. He passed away along with his beloved wife of 31 years, Cheryle Elizabeth Porter (McKee), 66, on June 14, 2025.

Being born and raised in Blacksburg, SC, Philip was proud to join the family business, Porter’s Electric Motor Service, Inc., out of high school (BHS class of 1973) where he became President. Alongside his wife, he also started Cherokee Bearing and Power Transmission as well as PEPCO, Inc. where together, they continued to run successful businesses.

Throughout his life, he loved anything with a motor; from cars, boats, heavy equipment and especially airplanes. Philip pursued his pilot’s license in 1979 and has been flying ever since. He obtained his private pilot’s license and flew numerous missions as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight Soars and Freedom Aviation Network. His greatest passion was using his life experiences to share Jesus with those around him. He loved volunteering with many ministries or just having a coffee with a good friend. He had retired his golf clubs, but was once an avid “lefty” golfer and enjoyed many days on courses around the country with his closest friends.

Philip and Cheryle loved to travel and did so as often as possible. They attended church over the years at First Baptist North Spartanburg and First Baptist of Spartanburg. When they were traveling, they would visit local churches to worship as well. They were involved in numerous Sunday School classes and special prayer groups.

Philip is survived by his loving daughters Carmen Porter of Gaffney, SC and Kisha Phipps (Randy) of Spartanburg, SC; his nine grandchildren who he loved to the fullest Karsyn Crocker (Jake), Ashlyn Phipps, Kody Phipps, Ryan Phipps, Gavin Blanton, Devin Phipps, Bryson Phipps, and Maddox Gardner; his great grandchild Bailey Grace Phipps; his mother-in-law Joyce Hyatt of Spartanburg, SC; his sister Cheryl Hogue (David) of Blacksburg, SC; his nephew Chris Raines (Libia) of Blacksburg, SC; his brothers-in-law Kenneth McKee (Kathy) of North Carolina and COL (R) Edward McKee of Florida; and his sister-in-law Shannon Cash (Danny) of Spartanburg, SC.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Heyward William Porter and Lois Cobb Porter, and his brother, Roger William Porter, all of Blacksburg, SC.

A celebration of life service will be held for Philip and Cheryle on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 1:00 pm at First Baptist North Spartanburg, 8740 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg, SC 29316. The family will receive friends at the church before the service beginning at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Angel Flight Soars, 2000 Airport Rd., Suite 227, Atlanta, GA 30341 (www.angelflightsoars.org), Freedom Aviation Network, 1006 Fatherland St., Suite 101B, Nashville, TN 37206 (www.freedomaviationnetwork.org), Child Evangelism Fellowship of SC, Inc. Upstate Chapter, P.O. Box 170538, Spartanburg, SC 29301 (www.cefspartanburg.com).

Floyd's North Church Street Chapel