Charles Renfro

“I knew that I had chosen a profession in which nobody ever got rich,” Charles Renfro once said, “but the years of seeing the kids grow and learn, and the hundreds of lifelong friends I have made, are riches enough for anyone.”

When he retired in 1970, Charles Renfro had set in motion one of the broadest-based city and county recreation programs in the nation, one that included sports, arts and crafts, dance, music, camping, nature study and year-around physical education programs. That’s why, in 1961, he had the overwhelming title of Coordinator of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Safety of the Albuquerque Public School System, which included Bernalillo County.

Over his long career, Renfro collected too many honors to list, but his proudest achievement was that, through the years, he affected positively the lives of thousands of young New Mexicans.

Renfro graduated from UNM in 1927 where he participated in football, basketball and track and field for Roy Johnson.