Obituary of Donald Eugene “Buddy” Porterfield

Donald Eugene “Buddy” Porterfield, born August 29, 1954, Athens, GA, passed away May 23, 2019 at William Childs Hospice House, Palm Bay FL. Don came to West Melbourne as a child with his family, graduating Eau Gallie High School in 1972. He worked for Piper Aircraft, McDonnel Douglas, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. He was extremely proud to be a member of the Close Out Crew/Recovery Team for the Space Shuttle Program. Don enjoyed both enduro and stock car racing at Eau Gallie Speedway. He promoted and produced tractor pulls and mud bogs with the local Jaycees and was especially proud of staging the first Monster Truck Show at the Orange County Fair Grounds in 1985. During this time Don opened Circle D. Western Wear in West Melbourne, moving to the County Line Saloon. Don’s love for his mother also inspired him to organize a Conway Twitty concert so that she could meet her favorite entertainer. Don’s passion for NASCAR and IMSA led him to Dingman Brothers Racing where he particularly enjoyed working with drivers Greg Sacks and Bob Earl. In 1998 Don opened Renegade’s, motorcycle bar in Titusville. During this time a former Dingman pit crew member asked Don to pit with him at Indianapolis 500 – a dream come true. Don has spent the last 14 years as a fleet maintenance manager at the Walmart Distribution Center in Ft. Pierce, FL. He has loved his crew and the drivers they served. They are his extended family. Don has supported and participated in Wreaths Across America, Wounded Warriors Annual Gator Hunt, Relay for Life Walk for Breast Cancer, and the annual Toys for Tots motorcycle run. He was also an active member of the Brevard County Airboat Association. Don was preceded in death by his father, Henry D. Porterfield, his beloved step-father Hurdis B. Brewer, and his mother Clovis Lorine Brewer. He is survived by his wife and life partner Darlene Porterfield, brother David (Tina) Porterfield, and sister Teresa (Doug) Ashmore. He will truly missed by nieces and nephews Jamie (Charman) Adcock, Clark Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Jeremy (Shelly) James, Amanda (Chris) Jones, Patrick (Beth) Logsdon, Matthew Logsdon, Michael E. Logsdon, Rebecca Logsdon, great nieces and nephews, loving family members, and great friends. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 1001 South Hickory Street, Melbourne.