Charles (Charlie) Duncan Alsup, born September 21, 1925, in Socorro, New Mexico, passed away on July 30, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while undergoing treatment for a Covid-19 infection. Charlie was the ninth of eleven children of Nellie Marie Robinson and James Newbourne Alsup. His father’s work as a prospector moved the family throughout southern New Mexico during his childhood, along with two summers picking fruit in California during the Great Depression. Charlie talked of being in school in Kingston where the entire student body consisted of his siblings and himself. After graduation from Deming High School in 1943, Charlie served in the Army in France, Belgium and Germany during the Second World War and was in the U.S. Occupation Force until 1946. Four of his brothers also served and two were killed in action during the War. After the War, he received a degree in history from Western New Mexico University, where he met Sue Smith, the love of his life. Sue and Charlie were married in 1949 in Silver City and they soon moved to Albuquerque where Charlie was a student in the second class of the University of New Mexico Law School.
After graduation from Law School and upon passing the New Mexico Bar Exam in spring 1952, Sue and Charlie moved to Clayton, New Mexico, where he joined the law practice of Adolph Krehbiel. After Dolph Krehbiel retired, Charlie formed the Alsup Law Office. While they raised six children, Charlie practiced law in Clayton for more than 50 years. He was highly respected in the area legal community and in the New Mexico Bar, and was inducted into the American Trial Lawyers Association. He eventually left the practice to his son Gary who currently continues Alsup Law Office. Charlie’s legal advice was provided to many for free and he was considered a key member of the Clayton business community. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his sense of justice and integrity, for his down to earth practicality, and for the love he had for his family, particularly his love for his 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Sue died in April 2020. Charlie is survived by their six children: Jim and Tracy Alsup of Beaverton, Oregon; Gary and Carrie Alsup, of Clayton, New Mexico; Brian and Kelly Alsup, also of Clayton; Rodney and Janet Alsup, of Delaware, Ohio; Jennifer and Kevin King of New Orleans, Louisiana; and David and Lauren Alsup, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also survived by loving friend, Katie King Alsup.
A memorial service for both Sue and Charlie will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico. The family suggests that memorials be made in Charlie’s memory to the Northern New Mexico Food Bank at https://www.thefooddepot.org/
Gary and Alsup Family,
My deepest condolences. You dad, Charles Alsup was the first attorney I became acquainted with in my career as a court clerk. I never had the pleasure to meet your mom, but we spoke many a time on the phone. My thoughts and prayer are with you, I know they lived good long lives but losing a parent is never easy. May all the memories you created with them bring you comfort.
Sincerely,
Lina Weisdorfer