1936
Alvin
2016
Alvin L. Spradlin
June 30, 1936 — May 25, 2016
Alvin L. Spradlin, beloved husband of Joanne, passed away May 25, 2016. He was born June 30, 1936 in Clayton, NM 3rd son of Fred B. Spradlin and Annie Lenora Lambert. He was a lifelong resident and proponent of New Mexico. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1954 and was a member of the last graduating class at New Mexico A&M (now NMSU) in 1958. He was a proud member of the SAE Fraternity. He retired from the New Mexico Department of Labor in 1988 where he had served as a Deputy Director and was appointed by Gov. Anaya to be Director of the Job Training Division. His duties included planning and implementing state and federally funded job training programs. He represented the department at state, regional and national meeting.
Al was always a sports enthusiast and supported both the Aggies and the Lobos, as well as the Detroit Tigers. He was one of six men who met on April 6, 1966 to organize a youth football league, which became Young America Football League (YAFL). He was extremely proud of his part in organizing the league and being the coach of the "Raiders." His teams were always competitive and won two championships, and, as Coach, he received two Sportsmanship Trophies. His pride continued through the years as he would hear about the successes of "his boys." Later, he was able to assist the Altamont Little League in developing their new fields. In gratitude, they named one of their fields "Spradlin Field." He also loved NM high school basketball and went to the state tournament every year with his brother Wayne and nephews Sam, Ron and David. He had an unbelievable memory of the history of NM high school basketball and could name players from teams from all across the state and many different decades.
Al enjoyed the game of golf and was one of the "early birds" at ADO for many years. He and Joanne loved to travel and play golf. They managed to visit every state in the US and golfed in about half of them.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Sidney, Wayne, and Johnny. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years; and very special nieces and nephews, Janae Vandiver, Letha Simmons, Cindy Sullivan, Sam, Ron, David, Tom, Steve, and Jim Spradlin. He also was very proud of all the grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Ilene Taylor and Betty Beck.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., at Reflections, 2400 Washington St. NE Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Al was always a sports enthusiast and supported both the Aggies and the Lobos, as well as the Detroit Tigers. He was one of six men who met on April 6, 1966 to organize a youth football league, which became Young America Football League (YAFL). He was extremely proud of his part in organizing the league and being the coach of the "Raiders." His teams were always competitive and won two championships, and, as Coach, he received two Sportsmanship Trophies. His pride continued through the years as he would hear about the successes of "his boys." Later, he was able to assist the Altamont Little League in developing their new fields. In gratitude, they named one of their fields "Spradlin Field." He also loved NM high school basketball and went to the state tournament every year with his brother Wayne and nephews Sam, Ron and David. He had an unbelievable memory of the history of NM high school basketball and could name players from teams from all across the state and many different decades.
Al enjoyed the game of golf and was one of the "early birds" at ADO for many years. He and Joanne loved to travel and play golf. They managed to visit every state in the US and golfed in about half of them.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Sidney, Wayne, and Johnny. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years; and very special nieces and nephews, Janae Vandiver, Letha Simmons, Cindy Sullivan, Sam, Ron, David, Tom, Steve, and Jim Spradlin. He also was very proud of all the grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Ilene Taylor and Betty Beck.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., at Reflections, 2400 Washington St. NE Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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