Brian Potter

Brian E. Potter, age 72, rural Akron, Indiana, died on April 25, 2026 at 10:48 p.m. at his residence.

Brian Earl Potter was born on February 21, 1954 in Washington, Indiana to Bert and May (Woods) Potter.  He married Debra Lee Clodfelder in Odon, Indiana on August 7, 1976.  He was baptized in the Church of Christ.

Brian grew up in southern Indiana and graduated from Washington High School in 1972.  He went on to earn a horticulture degree from Vincennes University and then graduated from Purdue University in 1977.  He was a loyal Purdue fan and loved basketball.

He started his working career at age 14 and never stopped working.  Whether it was doing odd jobs on the farm, trimming apple trees at Chapman's Apple Orchard, or doing landscape jobs, he always had part-time jobs growing up.  In 1983 he moved his family to Akron, Indiana and became an ag seed representative for Dekalb Seed Company.  In 2020 he retired from sales at Pike Lumber Company.  In 1990 Brian started planting Christmas trees on the family farm and "Potters, the Family Tree" was founded and opened in 1997.  It was his dream and favorite job since he loved working outside, loved talking to people and working with his family.  Brian was a member of the Akron Lions Club and was awarded the "Melvin Jones Fellowship Award" for his years of service and loyalty to the club.

Surviving Brian is his wife: Debra Potter of Akron, IN; (3) children: Laurel (spouse Scott) Whetstone of Mentone, IN; Heather (spouse Zac) Kelly of Akron, IN; Ashley Potter of Akron, IN; (9) grandchildren: Ben, Oliver, Isaac, Will, Tucker, Karson, Claire, Wyatt and Piper; sister: Diane Alexander of Monticello, IL.

Preceding Brian in death are his parents, in-laws: Darrell and Sherrill Clodfelder, brother: Gordon Potter, sisters: Janet Langford and Pauline Butler.

Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Earl-Love Funeral Home, 811 E. Rochester St., Akron, Indiana from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The memorial service will be on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Officiating the service will be Pastor Mandy Nellans with burial at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Akron Lions Club, Akron, Indiana

Online condolences may be sent to earllovefuneralhome.com

The staff of Earl-Love Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Brian Potter.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian Potter, please visit our floral store.