Gerald A . Porter
The phrase that best describes Jerry is the category in which he is being inducted into the Hall of Fame-MERITORIOUS SERVICE. There is not much that he has not attempted to do, and, he has accomplished most of what he has attempted.
Jerry has been around bowling since childhood. His grandfather was a cabinet maker at Brunswick and his mother was employed there for over 25 years. It was mom who taught him to bowl at a young age which eventually led to a pin setting job and some extra bowling. Prior to that Jerry made a name for himself as a billiard player. At age 11, he was so good that he played exhibitions with national greats, Hoppe and Mosconi along with Grand Rapids Harold Worst. Not being the tallest 11 year old, Jerry had to tow around a pop carton to stand on in order to reach the table.!
Bowling didn't become a big part of Jerry's life until he entered the Air force in 1955. He bought his first ball, Brunswick of course, in 1956, while stationed in Japan. His first of many league secretary positions was also in Japan in 1957. He has been a secretary for three different leagues in the association and president in two others. His heavy involvement in bowling got him elected to the GMBA board in 1969. Working his way through the chairs, he became president of the GMBA during the 79-80 season. Though finished as a board member someone else had other plans for him.
Because Lutz Majeski was stepping down as secretary of the association, Jack Krueger approached Jerry and Paulette in 1982 and asked if they would be interested in the position. The rest is history as he has been the E.D. since then and Paulette is now the assistant E D. He worked many years with the Captain-Sponsor committee and currently serves on the YABA board. He has been the local lane Certification Inspection Coordinator since 1982, but is passing that on to another committee member next season.
Jerry has led the GMBA to national prominence, along with it's board of directors, by winning the ABC Service award in 1987, the 5 year Service Award in 1992, and the 10 year Service Award in 1997, for continued outstanding service to it's members. He is the manager for our local association tournament and also the officers tournament, and the end of the bowling season throws together the yearbook.
On the state level, Jerry has attended all of our Zone 5 Jamborees since 1982, most statewide jamborees and all of the annual state meetings. He has assisted the MSBA leaders in conducting the state tourney when held in Muskegon. This has led him and Paulette to the responsibility of running the team house in the state tournament.
Nationally, Jerry was elected to the ABC board of Directors in 1990, replacing Carroll Stonehouse from Grand Rapids. his area of responsibility as Jurisdictional Director runs from the Soo to the Indiana border and from the west side of Lansing to Lake Michigan. His job is to assist all associations in this territory with their needs or problems.
Not to bad on the lanes, his high game of 279 was rolled this season, and his high series of 697 was bowled in 1993 in the West Michigan Senior Tourney. Teaming with partner, Hall of Famer, Bill Liefer, they have won three senior doubles titles. Jerry has also been on teams that have won three GMBA actual city tournament titles.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE are words that fit Jerry Porter to a tee. for all the SERVICE given to the bowlers of the Muskegon area, you've earned the honor of being inducted into the Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame. Welcome!