Calvin Carl Richardson Jr. of Portales, New Mexico, passed away peacefully August 16, 2023 at the age of 102. Carl was born in a half dug out in Running Water Draw nine miles North of Clovis, NM to Calvin Earl and Oma Carl (Pullam) Richardson on July 25, 1921.
After graduating from Portales High School in 1940, Carl attended ENMU on a football scholarship. After two semesters, he and five teammates hitch hiked to Amarillo and joined the Coast Guard in 1941, where he played football, basketball and baseball for the Navy. After the war, Carl attended the University of Tulsa on an athletic scholarship. After graduating from ENMU in 1948, he enrolled in the University of Texas in Austin where he received his Masters of Education degree and was an assistant football coach.
In 1949, Carl returned to ENMU as an instructor and coach. During his 37-year tenure at ENMU, he served 17 years as the head football coach. He also coached tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, and track. His football teams were 59 and 37, including an undefeated season in 1957 and a fourth-place national finish. Seven players from those teams were named All-Americans.
He was named NAIA District 7 Coach of the Year nine times in three different sports. His tennis teams had a 113 – 32 record and four NAIA District 7 championships. As a baseball coach, he guided the Greyhounds to 52-12 record in a four-year span, and led the golf team to four NAIA District 7 championships.
Carl was also professor emeritus in physical education as well as serving as the Chairman of the Department of Health and Physical Education. He obtained his Doctorate Degree from the University of Texas in 1965. Throughout his career in education and athletics, he influenced many lives.
Carl was happiest while spending time with his family, playing golf and hunting, fishing and playing dominoes. His wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed. His motto was, “if you can’t go first class, don’t stay as long!” Not many people ever had as much fun as Carl. He loved to gather with friends to eat, drink and tell stories. He was a believer in never letting a few facts get in the way of a good story. It didn’t matter if you had heard the stories already, he told them for his own enjoyment, not yours!
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Earl, and two sisters, Jean and Thelma. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Claryse of Portales, and her sons, Donnie (Joni) Crockett, Albuquerque, and Hayden (Heather) Crockett, Omaha NB. Also, his daughters and their families, Sheri (Buddy) Moore, Levelland, TX, Campbell and Willie Gough and Gray, Houston, TX. And Sandi (Dale) Fullerton, Clovis, NM and Calvin (Heather) Fullerton and Cyler, Callan, and Cayton, Lubbock, TX, his nephew Marsh (Hollye) Maddox, and niece Robbie (Jack) Smith, Portales.
Carl’s family would like to sincerely thank his kind hearted, dedicated caretakers, especially Nikki Goon and Ken Bull. And a special thanks to his nephew and his wife, Marsh and Hollye Maddox for their many years of kind care and attention and for being on standby! Per his request, no services will be held. Any remembrances may be directed to the C.E. Richardson Scholarship or the Carl Richardson – B. B. Lees Football Walk On Scholarship, care of the ENMU Foundation, Station 8, 1500 South Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130 or the charity of your choice.
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