T. Porter, Schermerhorn, Jr., 72, of Henrico County, Va., passed away peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning, August 3, 2021, to enter glory and meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Porter was a graduate of Hermitage High School and earned three degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University: a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in English / English Education, and a Master of Education in Special Education. He put his love of learning and teaching to good use as an instructor of English at VCU, a reading instructor in Richmond Public Schools, and a special education teacher in Louisa County Public Schools. He also helped lead for many years the neighborhood children's After School Ministry at Greenwood United Methodist Church and volunteered as a tutor for children and as an ESL teacher for adult immigrants at West End Presbyterian Church. In addition to teaching, Porter was also a successful salesman and served as a Squad Leader in the U.S. Army.

Having grown up on a farm in rural Glen Allen, Va., Porter had a special love for gardening, nature, and animals, and at harvest time, he was generous in sharing his delicious home-grown tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, watermelons, sunflowers, and more. An avid sports enthusiast, Porter played football at Hermitage High and VCU, worked out nearly every day at the Tuckahoe YMCA, and even earned a black belt in Taekwondo. Porter was known for his kindness and compassion for others in the way he spent many years caring for his elderly mother, tutoring immigrant children and adults, volunteering with organizations such as CARITAS and Shalom Farms, and rescuing and caring for numerous animals over the years who needed a loving and responsible home. He was a kind, honest, hard-working, and reliable person who could be counted on to keep promises and commitments, and he always sought to do the right thing. Porter had an unusual combination of great strength and great sensitivity. He had been both a soldier and a poet, an athlete and an artist. He cared deeply about his family, his country, the world, his friends, and his God.

Porter was predeceased by his parents, Lois and Truman Schermerhorn; his sisters, Linda Smith and Susan Schermerhorn; his niece, Caroline Smith; and numerous cousins, uncles, and aunts. He is survived by his beloved wife, Suzie Bird; his nephew, Kevin Smith and wife, Gwen, and their children, Isabella, Emma, and Henry; and many wonderful cousins, including his special cousin, Helen Wood and her husband, Phin. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 11 at West End Presbyterian Church, 9008 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, Va. 23233, with a reception in the church gallery at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. After the memorial service, there will be a brief graveside service at 1:30 p.m. at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 12360 Hanover Courthouse Rd., Hanover, Va. 23069. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Porter's two church homes: Greenwood United Methodist Church (10040 Greenwood Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23060) or West End Presbyterian Church (9008 Quioccasin Rd., Henrico, VA 23229).