Russell Alan Porter, Jr. (Alan) was born at home in Ennis, Texas, on April 13, 1935, to Russell and Marie Porter. He grew up in the days when the railroad was king and as a kid he often rode the train by himself to see his grandparents in Corsicana. Both grandfathers, an uncle and his father all worked for the railroad.
In his early 20s Alan got a bachelor’s degree in accounting, worked part time for the railroad, married, fathered two daughters and at night danced the North Texas State Push at one of Jack Ruby’s night clubs in Dallas.
