7-09-2024 3:50pm

Alamogordo 80’s Sports Hero Eddie Lee “The Preach” Carter Remembered

Chris Edwards Editor

The Alamogordo Tigers lost a legendary athlete that during his high school career at Alamogordo High School set records in accomplishment and is remembered for encouraging teamwork and driving team spirit.

Eddie Lee “The Preach” Carter was a standout athlete winning multiple awards and accolades and lettered in basketball, football and track and field. A record of some of his achievements and accomplishments in sports are mentioned in a published book “Coach Bob Sepulveda the Hveem Years”, as a recognition of his accomplishments and those of many area athletes that excelled for the Tigers over the decade of the mid 70s to early 80’s. His senior year he was recognized as the most inspirational player on the Tiger Football Team. He was a part of the winning football teams that went to state twice, and placed 2nd at state twice during the Vheem years as head coach.

Eddies positive impact on Alamogordo sports is still remembered and discussed among locals.

His positive impact, bear hugs to former athletes and smile was legendary. Coach Bob Sepulveda and Track and Field cohort Rene Sepulveda remembered Eddie on the track field for “pumping up the team with positivity and reminding the team they were one working together for Tiger victory. He would provide bear hugs that lifted you off the ground,” per team member, Rene Sepulveda.

Eddie Lee “The Preach” Carter passed away on June 6th 2024 in Las Cruces. Eddie is survived by his children Josh and Ashlee Carter and his granddaughter Amaya Soul Carter Munoz. Also his son Matt and daughters Shanice, Jasmine and Kiki and grandkids Alizayah, Angelina, Kameron, Santiago, Zahrea, Jaylynn, and Jordon. Eddie was proceeded in death by by his mother Annie May Day Carter, his brother Larry Carter, and his best friend Joe Guinness.

After high school Eddie moved to the Seattle-Tacoma area where his son Josh was born, his daughter Ashlee was born a little over a year later in Petoskey, Michigan. While in Seattle Eddie worked at a steel plant manufacturing lift truck forks and was also a chef at Puyallup. After a few years he moved back to Alamogordo to take care of his mother and worked in the steel foundry at Presto. Later during the height of the war on terror he worked for the Alaska Defense, traveling around the country to military bases building military shelter systems for service members deploying overseas.

Eddie loved spending time in the mountains of New Mexico and Washington and would often visit White Sands National Park and Laborcita Canyon.

Coming from his own sports background he loved sports as a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, he attended many Seattle Sonics Basketball games especially when Julius Erving and Moses Malone were i. Town with the Philadelphia 76rs. Eddie made it to both the 1983 Final Four and the 1984 Final Four. He is remembered for his cooking skills as a master of the BBQ grill, and he made the most amazing pinto beans, he loved a good BBQ.

Those who knew Eddie will remember his deep voice, outgoing personality, infectious smile and ability to make everyone he knew feel as if they were close family. Eddie had a hard time saying good bye to his friends and family, he would instead and every phone call with..PEACE.

A celebration of life is planned for Wednesday July 10th at the north pavilion of Washington Park at 5 pm, services will start at 6:30 and end by 9. In remembrance of Eddie please join.