Charles McMath

Charles McMath, age 91, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024. His wife Betty was by his side at Palmilla Senior Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Charles was the family rock and was known for his love of God, family, friends, sports (golf #1), hunting, fishing, and traveling in their RV. Charles is survived by his wife Betty Jane (Lundy) and four children, Ellis (Vicky), Bill (Marianne), Ron (Loretta), Susie Ankeny (Lewis), ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Marilynn Coburn and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.P. and Eva McMath, five brothers, and one sister.

Charles went to work for the A.T. & S.F. Railroad in Albuquerque the week after graduating from Estancia High School in May 1951 as a Carman Apprentice, which was the beginning of a 38-year career with the Railroad. On August 25, 1951, Charles and Betty were married at the beautiful Clack Place in Tajique, NM. Charles excelled at his job and was promoted to inspecting new (railroad) cars which were being built in Pennsylvania. With four children, the youngest being 2 years old, he and Betty, being young, fearless, and ready for adventure, moved to the east coast. They spent time in Pennsylvania in Amish country, Chicago, and Passaic, New Jersey. They came back to Albuquerque where they stayed until their four children finished high school.

In the spring of 1980, the railroad asked Charles to go to Barstow, Ca. as track and car repair Supervisor. Another promotion for Charles in 1983 found them moving to Needles, Ca. (on the Colorado River) as General Supervisor. They made many friends in the Needles area, enjoying the river and learning to square dance. They purchased a class B Motor Home and traveled around the beautiful state of California. The railroad offered Charles a very generous buy-out in August 1989. He did not hesitate to take it because they were anxious to move back home to New Mexico. Charles and Betty took over an Indian Jewelry business from a square dance couple they had met and that was the beginning of another great adventure! For the next 15 years they bought jewelry from all over NM then packed up and headed for the county fairs in Northern California where they sold it. They enjoyed those 15 years very much.

Charles and Betty purchased a home in Elephant Butte with plenty of room for a boat & RV, a garden and fruit trees. They had 30 wonderful years living in Sierra County. While living at Elephant Butte, they were privileged to help start Church at the Butte where he was Chairman of Deacons for several years. Charles served on several Board of Directors during that time: Geronimo Museum, 1990-1998, Church at the Butte, 2001-2019, Sierra Electric Coop ,2006-2019. Charles loved the game of golf. He was a member of the men's golf club at Truth or Consequences, the municipal golf course as well as the men's club at the golf course at Elephant Butte (SDR). They moved to Albuquerque in 2019 to be closer to family and medical facilities.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho (3906 19th Ave SE, across from INTEL on HWY. 528). Interment will follow at a later date at Estancia Memorial Cemetery, Estancia, NM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho www.fbcrr.com or Church at the Butte www.churchatthebutte.com.