This information was supplied by Kenny Smith from the Class of 1965 who was the administrator for Alford's estate At this time we are not sure exactly when he passed away but beleive in 1990s. We believe he graduated in 1935 from Timpson.  He did play football at Timpson in the fall of 1934.

Alford was born at home in Timpson- in an old house out close to where the sawmill is when he was still a child his family moved out on the Nacogdcoches county side of the Attoyac, near what's known locally as the Joplin crossing. that's were he grew up.

Most of his school years were spent in Garrison. but he ran around/was friends with the Timpson kids at the time. His last two school years were spent in the Timpson school. during those years Paul? Amos- who used to run Amos's service station down by the Baptist Church, let him stay in a room at his house.

Immediately after high school he joined the U.S. Cavalry, serving mainly in south and far west texas. At one point he was a squad leader for a mounted .30 cal machine gun squad in t he !st Cav Division. Don't now what other duties or ranks he held in the Cavalry, but he served there until WW II came along. During the war he served state-side as an army drill instructor. He did not go overseas or see enemy action. After WWII he got out of the army and joined the peace-time Air Force, serving in both the U.S. and in North Africa. He was a master sergeant on an aircraft maintenance crew. He married Erna Butter about the middle of the 1950's, while he was stationed at El Paso Texas. He retired from his final duty station at Barksdale and moved down to the Alexandria, La, area which was his wife's home area. Later, after his wife died, he moved back to Timpson, where he bought/lived in the old Mansfield Coan house down by the park. Dementia and heart disease finally got him and he died in the nursing home at Garrison. After the funeral service at Taylor's Funeral Home in Timpson his body was transported back to Alexandria where he was interred beside his late wife.

He had no children. He had some surviving blood relatives- nieces/nephews/brother- but did not see them. His heirs were all on his wife's family side- three sisters, plus a niece and a nephew by marriage.

I have a good photo of him in air force uniform which i'll try to find and send to you later. also have quite a few photos of his cavalry days and north africa days. will try to pick and choose a few of those for you. should make good stuff for "interesting careers" or some such.  .

Obit

Funeral services were held for Mr. Alford M. Richards, 87, of Timpson on Friday, August 11, 2000 at 2 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home Chapel in Timpson.  Rev. Linda Maxey, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiated with entombment in Alexandria, La.on Staurday, August 12, at 10 a.m.  Mrs. Betty Crump and Rev. Linda Maxey provided music.

Mr. Ricahres passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2000 at Nacogdoches Medical Center.  A retired Master Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Richards was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Timpson, American Legion and Lions Club.  He was born to James Calvert and Nancy Ada (Lyles) Richards in Timpson, TX on November 22, 1912.

Surviivors include one brother, Colquitt Richards of Anancorte, Washington, brother-in-law, Mike Reid of Alvin, TS; sisters-in-law, Corrie Butler Blue of Forth Worth, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Erna Butter Richards in April, 1996.

Honorary pallbearers were Kenny Smith, L.G. Allen, John Amos, Bobby Ritter, J.R. Graves, Henry Porterfield, and Joe Dillon.  Services were under the direction of Taylor Funeal Home in Timpson, TX.

Obituary courtesty of Timpson Area Obituaries Books (TAGHS)

Please Click Below on Alford Last Profile Entry to see the very interesting photos of Alford in the Armed Services