Life Tributes for the week of 12/30/19

Ron Porter

Ron Porter passed away Dec. 17, 2019. He was born in Petaluma, California, May 15, 1935 to George and Tina Porter.

He grew up in Foresthill, California where his love for fishing, hunting and the outdoors grew.

He spent his early years at his father‘s garage helping repair equipment from the mines and timber operations.

After high school Ron enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. He went into the Special Services for football where he played right guard and inside linebacker.

Ron was married to Peggy Porter in 1958. They had four children.

Ron was the first NAPA Auto Parts jobber north of Sacramento, and opened his first store in Susanville in 1966. Forty-plus years in the business led to numerous auto parts stores.

In the early 1980s Ron began farming in Vina, California, and was a long-time member of the Blue Diamond Grower’s Association and Sunsweet Growers.

In 2008 Ron married Karen Bolen-Porter. Ron and Karen were an active part of the Chico Calvary Chapel family.

Throughout his life he was an avid fly fisherman.  Ron’s faith was important to him, and he was also a fisher of men.

Ron is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, Katie Kegg (Jack), Elizabeth Leininger (Tod), and Kyle Porter, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, his sister Mabel Johnson. He was proceeded in death by his son, Joel.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 at Calvary Chapel Chico.

Robert “Bob” Watts

Long time Janesville resident Robert “Bob” Watts passed away Dec. 16, 2019 in Nampa, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with cancer. Bob was born to Oris and Lucille Watts along with two brothers.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janice and son Jason. A loving father and grandfather, he leaves behind his two daughters Nichole Schwirian and Lyndsey Brown along with six grandchildren.

A Vietnam Navy veteran, Bob also served as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and was a firearms instructor. He loved hunting, fishing, restoring old cars and driving anything that went fast.

According to Bob’s wishes, there are no services planned.   He had a kind smile and a generous heart and he will be missed dearly.”