Charles Ralph Porter, Jr, of Hot Springs, passed away on February 22, 2021. Charles was preceded in death by his mother Shirley Porter, his father Charles Ralph Porter, Sr., his son Rodney Jerome Redmon, and his aunt Mary Porter (DeeDee).

Charles, better known as Ralph, was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Charles and Shirley Porter on October 15, 1938. He attended elementary and high school in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from Langston High School in 1956. It was there that he won many trophies and championships as the quarterback for the historic Langston High School in Hot Springs. Ralph attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He graduated from Lincoln Univ. in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.

He was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc. since 1963.

After college, Ralph was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, however, before he could begin his professional football career, he had a knee injury that ended his professional football career. Uncle Sam then called him to serve in the United States Army.

He was drafted into the United States Army in July of 1962. Ralph was a veteran of the 24 th Division and the 34 th Infantry in Augsburg, Germany. After an Army football team was formed in Germany, Ralph's General, B.F. Taylor requested that his soldiers who had experience playing football sign-up for the team. Ralph saw this as a great opportunity to serve. The 24 th Division Football team went on to win championships in 1962 and 1963 with Ralph serving as their quarterback.

Ralph united in holy matrimony to Jewel Dickerson in Brooklyn, New York. They were married for over 50 years and were blessed with two children, Shabazz Dickerson (Dana Andre Dickerson) and Sekou Senghor Porter.

Ralph had the gift of reaching others. He was very personable and always had a listening ear, a caring heart, and always accepted a challenge. He admired the youth and always fought to challenge them to always reach their highest potential. Ralph would become the Director of Ouachita's Job Corp. This was a new federal program to help young adults develop wholesome skills to become better citizens. He was the first Black to serve in this capacity and he served for many years. Young adults came from many States and other countries to attend the Ouachita Job Corp. in Royal, Arkansas.

After many years in his hometown, his calling sent him to New York City where his mother resided.

In 1971-1972 Ralph was the Director for the Boys Scouts of America in New York. This began his lifelong career of helping youth and a lifelong friendship with Lynn Swan.

Ralph then became the Director of the Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx, NY. Ralph was a community leader where he worked with inner-city youth. The kids and his peers affectionally called him "Mr. P". Through the Boys and Girls Club, Ralph was able to provide a safe environment for the kids in the community.

In the 1990s, Mr. Porter was offered a position with Mid Bronx Desperados Housing Corporation (MBD Housing Corp) as President of this great organization. Through MBD, Ralph was able to continue his work for the community by building affordable housing for the people in the South Bronx. MBD's mission is to improve the quality of life of their community through housing development, property management, economic development, and the delivery of human services. After Ralph worked to create beautiful housing that was once burned outbuildings and a new shopping mall, President Clinton accompanied Mr. Porter on a walk through the South Bronx of New York to see the housing that was created by this great group.  Mr. Porter wanted President Clinton to recognize the plight of residents living in that urban area and the success of his organization in providing affordable housing for Bronx residents in need. President Clinton was quoted on the cover of The New Times, saying of Ralph, "A small-town man from Hot Springs like me , came up here to the city and look what he did for the South Bronx."

In 2005, Ralph and Jewel retired to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Ralph continued to work tirelessly for the Hot Springs community. He was President of the Friendship Cemetery Committee, a Board Member of the Webb Community Center, the Chairperson of the Langston Legacy Reunion Committee, a Board Member of the Hot Springs Jazz Society, and a member and former officer of the Preservation of African American Cemeteries organization.

Charles was preceded in death by his mother Shirley Porter, his father Charles Ralph Porter, Sr., his son Rodney Jerome Redmon, and his aunt Mary Porter (DeeDee), and cousins Kenneth and Frank Stanley.

Charles Ralph Porter is survived by his constant companion and loving wife, Jewel Dickerson Porter; his sons, Shabazz Dickerson (Dana Andre Dickerson) of Brooklyn, NY, and Sekou Senghor Porter of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Julien Porter of Greensboro, NC, Denzel Ward, Amina Powell Dickerson, Ahmad Powell Dickerson, and Jeremiah Porter all of Brooklyn, NY, and Jaayden Porter of Atlanta, GA. And one great-grandson, Camron Porter of Greensboro, NC. Special cousins , Kenneth Stanley and Vaughn Jordan of Fayetteville, AR , Brother-In-Law,s, Jordan Dickerson, Robert Lee Dickerson, Charles Oliver all of Little Rock, AR, and Major Dickerson (Brandi) of Clinton, MD. Sisters-In-Law,s, Erma Dickerson of Little Rock, AR, and Barbara J. Rawls of Memphis, TN., and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.