Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1932, Dr. Porter spent most of his youth first in Chicago then in Miami. After four years of active service as a U.S. Naval Aviator he attended Pepperdine University where he earned both the B.A. and M.A. degrees. He was awarded the Ph.D. degree from George Peabody College (now a part of Vanderbilt University) in 1967. He was on the faculty of Southeast Missouri State University, the University of Alabama, the University of Miami and Harding University before retiring in 1996. He has published both scientific and religious articles. He is listed in Who's Who in Religion, Personalities of the South and American Men and Women of Science among others.