Mark Covington Porter, age 69, of Hickory, NC, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2016, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. Born October 27, 1946, in Anderson, SC, he was the son of the late Lemuel Herbert Porter and the late Sarah Martin 'Peg' Porter. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Porter Ziesler, and brother, Eric Porter. Mark attended Charlotte Country Day School for several years before attending South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, his senior year, graduating in 1964. Just 3.5 years later, Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 1967. His professional career included various positions in sales in his earlier years with Jones & Jones in Atlanta, GA, and later with Jantzen covering regional sales for North Carolina and South Carolina. Mark was an early pioneer in the computer programming industry in which he worked for the majority and duration of his career. He worked a considerable time with Computer Systems (Rock Hill), Ernst & Young (Charlotte), and for several years as Vice President of IT at Pulaski Furniture Corporation (Pulaski, VA). His later professional years were spent working as an independent contractor as a computer systems analyst and consultant. Mark was an extremely dynamic, intriguing individual, who family and friends would often refer to as a "real character." He was quick-witted and funny, and loved eliciting smiles and laughter from everyone he encountered in an effort to brighten and lighten up their day, whether it was a loved one or simply a passerby. He was tremendously kind and generous, spending much of his life putting others' needs and happiness above his own, which he would explain gave him great joy. Mark was sensitive, sincere, and loveable with a stubbornness to equal. It was vitally important to him to live his life with the utmost integrity, always wanting to do "the right thing" in all situations. … A man worthy of great respect. Mark was very polite, but he was more humorously antagonistic to those he knew and loved. But he would also make sure to tell you each day he saw you or talked to you that he loved you. So there was no question, you always knew. Mark always had an appreciation for music and loved to playfully sing songs by his favorite bands and artists. He was quite a sports enthusiast as well, especially college basketball and football at his alma mater. Later in his life, he found what he considered to be his most treasured hobby: sport car racing! He raced his Ford Mustang on various racetracks across the US. It became an obsession for him and was the source of some of his most joyous experiences. Mark was certainly passionate about racing, but he also loved the traveling it involved, meeting new people, and seeing his long-term racing friends at each venue. Mark truly was a one-of-a-kind man who will be dearly missed and always remembered lovingly by his family and friends. Survivors include his children, Paige Inge and husband Mark of Monroe, NC, Brett Porter and wife Rachel of Hickory, Brian Porter and wife Jenny of Dacula, GA, and Erin Porter of Asheville, NC; beloved former spouse, Elouise Porter of Hickory; stepchildren, Lara Holbrook and husband Doug, and Tom Brooks, all of Hickory; beloved niece, Sara Yontz and husband Aaron of Cary, NC; aunt, Rebecca Browder of Liberty; uncle, Dr. John B. Martin Jr. of Anderson; cousins, Jay Browder and wife Kimberly of Pendleton, Don Ross, Henry Martin and wife Kristi, all of Liberty, Jack 'Louie' Ross III and wife Pam, Johnny Ross and wife Judy, all of Anderson, Jim Ross of Pendleton, Charlotte Powell of Charlotte, Jeff Browder and wife Barbara of Seminole, FL, and Emeline 'Emmie' Ross and husband Foti Maggalousis of Greece; grandchildren, Zack Inge and wife Abby, Alyssa Inge, Lanie Inge, Courtney Porter, Noah Porter, Kyra Porter, Alison Porter, Jake Porter, Jade Strickland, Keith Lee Holbrook, and Whit Holbrook; great-nephew and great-niece, Porter Yontz and Pamela 'Ela' Yontz. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at The McDougald Funeral Home, 2211 North Main Street, Anderson, SC 29621. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, at the Martin family cemetery, located across the street from 205 Martin Sausage Road in Liberty. Pastor Mel Arant of Pendleton United Methodist Church will be officiating the ceremony. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Events Visitation Thursday, January 28, 2016 7:00PM - 9:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Friday, January 29, 2016 1:00PM Martin Family Cemetery Martin Sausage Rd. Liberty, SC Final Resting Place Martin Family Cemetery Martin Sausage Rd. Liberty, SC