Obituary of Clem Charlton

Clem Charlton was born on March 20, 1925 in Roswell, NM to Russell C. and Nannie B. (nee Baker) Charlton. His family moved to Albuquerque in 1928 when his father became the night captain with the Albuquerque Police Department. The family lived near UNM on the far eastern fringes of the city. Clem attended Monte Vista ES, Lincoln and Jefferson Caption JHS, and Albuquerque HS. He played all sports but favored football. He became a NM all-star in football at AHS. In 1943 during his senior year spring semester he enlisted in the US Navy and spent that semester in boot camp in California. He returned to AHS in time to graduate and receive his diploma wearing his Navy uniform. He ended up as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Cleveland in the Pacific war against Japan. After the Japanese surrender he was part of the American occupying forces in Japan in 1945 and 1946. Clem returned to Albuquerque and enrolled at the University of New Mexico in 1947. He started at right end for the Lobos football team from 1947 - 1949. After doing his student teaching at Highland HS in 1951, he was hired there as a history and PE teacher as well as a football, wrestling, and golf coach. His teams did well - winning several state championships. In 1958 he was hired at Sandia HS. Clem, as head coach of three sports at SHS, continued his winning ways. By the time he retired from APS in 1982 his golf teams had won 11 state championships. He had three state champion teams in wrestling and a state runner-up football team. He also spent 15 years officiating wrestling at the high school and college level. Clem received several awards for his successful coaching career. *Head coach of the North All Star Football Team in 1962. *Twice national golf coach of the year. *First coach voted into the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame. *2019 inductee to the UNM Hall of Honor. This was a special award for Clem who was a loyal Lobo for over 90 years! Clem worked hard his whole life. After (and during) his teaching career he worked jobs with the City of Albuquerque, Mossman-Gladden (he started working for Fred Mossman in high school), Liberty Gym (he liked to get there around 3:00 AM), and Ladera Golf Course (someone has to refuel those golf carts). Clem is survived by his wife Jean - the love of his life. He is also survived by Jean’s family: Lori and Mark, Jimmy and Patty, and a slew of grand and great-grandkids. He is also survived by his daughter Debbie Harley, his son Bryan Charlton, and their children and grandchildren. We all miss Grandpa Coach! Clem’s memorial service will be held September 19 at 1:00 at the French Mortuary on Golf Course Road. Donations to the Lobo Scholarship Fund can be called in to 505-925-2582.