Retired Judge James Kenneth Porter, who served as a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District, passed away on April 5, 2021, one day shy of his 87th birthday. Judge Porter retired from the bench in 1993.
Judge Porter was first elected as a circuit court judge in 1974. He had previously served as a state senator for one term and a state representative for four terms, representing Cocke County. In 1964, he was elected Republican floor leader.
Judge Porter graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1957, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Tennessee Law Review.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet R. Porter; daughter Janie C. Porter; son James Kenneth Porter, Jr, and Paula King; grandchildren James Kenneth (Trey) Porter; Katie Porter Fischer and her husband, Michael; Kathy L. Porter, mother of the grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The full obituary is available here.
