Carl H. Albright

Lt. Col. Carl H. Albright USAF (ret.) died on September 7, 2014 at his home in Albuquerque after an extended illness. He died peacefully sitting on his back porch looking at his flower garden. He was the third child of Charles and Lillie Albright - born at home in Springfield, Illinois on March 1, 1921. His brothers and sisters, Charles, Ruth Stoops, Vernon, Marguerite Taylor and Dorothy Harper, preceded him in death, as did his parents. Carl and all of his siblings had newspaper routes with the Illinois State Journal Register as they grew up. Carl wed Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Howard in 1943 and a short time later left Western Illinois University to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt., trained to fly B-24s, and was soon in England, assigned to the 8th Air Force's 446th Bomb Group. He and his crew flew 35 successful missions to disrupt the Third Reich. After the war, Carl finished his BA and MA degrees. He then joined the new United States Air Force, where he worked as a nuclear chemist and pilot until his retirement in 1969. He then went to work as a chemist for the state of Illinois before his final retirement to Albuquerque in 1981. Carl was active in the Albuquerque community. He volunteered for many years, working with a number of organizations including The Gray Gladiators, AARP, NM Department of Corrections and the 8th AF Group. Carl was married for 58 years to Liz, who died in 2001. He is survived by three children and their spouses, Carl F. "Rick" and LaWanda Albright of Tijeras NM, Col.Wayne H. Albright (ret.) and Geraldine "Geri" Albright of Phoenix AZ, Carla Furry and Sr. Master Sgt. (ret.) Roger Furry of Albuquerque, NM. In addition, there are seven grandchildren, Tracy Pater of VA, Heather Leiby of San Antonio TX, Vanessa Helton of Edgewood NM, Jeremy Albright of The Dominican Republic, Ryan Furry of Albuquerque, NM, Charlene Andrusyszyn of Aurora, CO, Scott Albright of Albuquerque, NM; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. A viewing will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, at FRENCH - University, 1111 University Blvd. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 at FRENCH - University. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, where Carl will receive full military honors. Please feel free to donate to your favorite charity in Carl's name in lieu of flowers. Carl had a twinkle in his eye that spoke of mischief, a great sense of humor and love in his heart. He was a positive influence on many lives, demonstrating how to be a man, a father, and how to care for others. He was loved by all that knew him and will be missed. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd. NE 505-843-6333