Richard Ray “Coach” Alsup, the son of Noah L. and Mary K. (Sybert) Alsup, was born August 28, 1948, in Maryville, Missouri. He attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1966. He then attended college in Alamosa, Colorado.

After returning to Tarkio, Richard was united in marriage to Mary Beth Carter on December 7, 1969. He then entered the United States Navy, serving his country for one and one-half years before receiving his honorable discharge. He and Mary Beth became the parents of two children, Leigh Beth and Damon Carter.

Richard earned his degree from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, and began teaching physical education for first through twelfth grades and coaching football, basketball, cross country, and track in Farnam, Nebraska. It was here he learned of his passion for coaching and being a mentor to all his athletes and students. In 1976, Richard was offered a Graduate Assistantship for Football at Northwest and moved back to Maryville. After finishing his Master’s degree, he became the Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach and later the Head Coach.

Richard had a great love for coaching, but his greatest love came from the grandchildren: Jessi, Matthew, Dawson, Gianna, and Barrett. He attended numerous dance and piano recitals, show choir competitions, football, basketball, and baseball games and would take them hiking, golfing, biking, jet skiing, and even played a few games of “Who’s the bravest?” thrown in. Richard also had a great love for dogs and took great care in walking them, brushing them, giving them breath spray, and cuddling and napping with them. In addition, he enjoyed golfing at Mozingo Lake Golf Course, Maryville, where he played in various men’s leagues and made many friends. Richard passed away Monday, January 13, 2025, at Village Care Center, Maryville, at the age of 76.

Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by father and mother-in-law, Ivan (Claire) Carter; sister-in-law, Cathy Carter; and several aunts and uncles. Survivors include wife, Mary Beth Alsup, Maryville; children, Leigh Beth (fiancé, Tim Merrigan) Alsup, Maryville, and Damon (Kate) Alsup, Blue Springs, Missouri; grandchildren, Jessi, Matthew, Dawson, Gianna, and Barrett; siblings, Dan (Marcia) Alsup, Maryville, Bill (Veronica) Alsup, Pflugerville, Texas, Marilyn (Jim) Jensen, Kansas City, Missouri, Jeff (Lori) Alsup, Kansas City, Missouri, Jennifer (Gail) Alsup, Kansas City, Missouri, James Alsup, Tarkio, and Samantha Siddens, Rock Port, Missouri.

A memorial service was held Friday, January 17, 2025, conducted by Mr. Shawn Minter, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Military rites were under the auspices of Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199, Tarkio. Inurnment was at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New Nodaway Humane Society or Village Care Center, Maryville, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.