Michael L. Alford, age 77, died on Monday, January 22, 2024, at his home in Clayton, New Mexico.

Rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, New Mexico and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM following the Rosary, with Fr. Joseph Baltz as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

Michael Lawrence Alford was born on May 10, 1946, in South Bend, Indiana to Larry Alford and Eleanor (Mills) Alford. He attended Center Junior High and then graduated from South Bend Riley High School. Michael enlisted in the US Navy in 1965 and attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, He was stationed on Aircraft Carriers USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 in 1968 and on the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 twice and in Okinawa on a LPH. He served a tour in Vietnam in February of 1969, assigned to River Boat at the end of his tour in 1970. He served 18 months in Vietnam. He then served in recruiting duty in Detroit, Michigan from 1974-1978. Michael retired from the US Navy in 1993 and attended firefighting school at 32nd St, San Diego in 1994. Michael married Rose (Lovato) Alford on April 13, 1974, in Las Vegas, Nevada and they were later married through the Catholic Church in Michigan. Michael was a Vietnam Vet and was a life member of the VFW and a life member of the DAV as well as a member of the Fleet Reserve, American Legion and the Retired Officers Association. He was preceded in death by his parents.

SURVIVORS:

WIFE: Rose Alford of Clayton, New Mexico.

1 DAUGHTER: Sheila Barry of Wellington, Colorado.

3 GRANDCHILDREN: Amanda Layton and her husband Jacob of Indiana, Salina Barry and her fiancé Arron Sharp of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Dalton Barry of Aurora, Colorado.

1 GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER: Cheyenne Layton of Indiana.

2 SISTERS: Carol Harness and her husband Lt. Commander Curt of Rhode Island and Almo Willis and her husband John of Sedona, Arizona.