OLIVE HILL, Ky. — Dayton Porter, a longtime Olive Hill businessman, farmer and former Carter County highway maintenance foreman, died Friday, September 18, 2026, at his home. He was 88.
Porter was a familiar name in the Olive Hill and Carter County business community through Porter Monument Sales, which he owned and operated for 62 years.
His working life also included a lengthy career in public service. Porter served as Carter County State Highway Maintenance Foreman before retiring from that position in 1994.
Even with his business and highway career, farming remained an important part of Porter's life. A lifelong farmer, he raised cattle and maintained a deep connection to the land.
His obituary recalled his strong work ethic and included a line that perhaps best summed up his preference for life on the farm:
“If I had my druthers, I’d rather have my hands in the dirt.”
Porter was also remembered for his Christian faith, devotion to his church and community, and the importance he placed on hard work, kindness and treating others with respect.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, September 21, at Fairview Methodist Church, 2796 State Highway 504 in Olive Hill, with Brother John Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Catron Cemetery in Elliott County.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, September 20, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill. Visitation will resume at 10 a.m. Monday at Fairview Methodist Church and continue until the funeral service.
Porter's death marks the passing of a businessman whose work through Porter Monument Sales spanned more than six decades — while his life as a farmer and public employee tied him closely to the Carter County community he called home.
The Morehead Minute extends its condolences to the family, friends and community of Dayton Porter.