Charles Allen McAlister November 21, 1948 ~ June 25, 2023 (age 74)

Funeral services for Charles McAlister, 74, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Thurs., June 29, 2023 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Jeff Fox officiating, assisted by Dick Hood.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Chris Duncan, Randy Dunson, Brady McAlister, Charles Terry, Blake McAlister, and Jacob Vick serving as pallbearers.  Dennis Darrow and Dick Hood, along with all his many friends will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Charles Allen McAlister was born Nov. 21, 1948 in Portales, to the home of Flossie (Williams) and Winburn “Ben” McAlister and died in Amarillo, TX on June 25, 2023.  Charles grew up on the family farm in the Floyd community, and was a 1966 graduate of Floyd High School.  He played basketball and was on the track team.  In 1966, he set the record for the State of New Mexico in high jump, and still holds the record for Floyd High School. After graduation, Charles chose to attend Eastern New Mexico University, even though he had several other options, including West Point.  He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Business in 1971, and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly after.  He received his basic training at Fort Ord, CA, and was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan where his outstanding typing skills were put to use in the office of a Colonel.  Shortly before his discharge in 1973, he was transferred to Fort Dix, NJ.

He returned to Portales and became the Business Manager at Cooper Hobbs Chevrolet in 1974.  He remained in that position for almost eleven years.  In addition to his work duties, Charles attended classes at ENMU, and completed an MBA in 1976.  His father, Ben McAlister was serving on the Board of Regents for the University at that time, and was privileged to hand him his diploma.  In 1985, Charles became an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, and then took a position with Soil Conservation in 1987.  In 1989 he transferred to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) where he remained until his health forced him to take an early disability retirement in 1999.

On Sept. 6, 1974 at the home of a close friend, he was married to Katherine Campbell.  Their home was blessed with one son.  Charles had a keen interest in genealogy, and had been able to trace the family line back several centuries.  In addition, he enjoyed games on his computer, and watching game shows on television and doing craft projects in leather.  He kept in contact with his many friends through email for as long as he was able.  Charles was a faithful Christian, and a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.  He never lost his love of studying the Bible.  In addition to his battle with MS, he was also a Cancer survivor, and proudly participated in the Relay For Life along with his friend, Dennis Darrow.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine of their home; his son, Matt McAlister of Portales; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Lois McAlister of Floyd, NM; and a number of other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Floyd McAlister who died in 2008.

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