Carl Elmer Radford, Jr.

Carl E. Radford, Jr. was given his wings on November 8, 2024. Affectionately known as “Buddy” or “Pops”, he was born March 30, 1951, in Indianapolis, IN to Carl E. Radford, Sr. and Ethel M. Wade Radford, who preceded him in eternal rest. 

Carl first accepted Christ as a young child and, along with his sister Cheryl, was baptized at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. He attended Indianapolis Public Schools 23 and 69, graduating from Broad Ripple High School (class of 1969) and Ball State University.

He excelled in sports, playing little league baseball at Douglass Park in his youth. He also wrestled and played football in high school and was an avid swimmer. At Ball State University, he met and married the love of his life, Portia Elaine Kemper on December 2, 1972. 

Buddy was a community activist who lived a life of service. He was a former president of the Indianapolis Chapter of the NAACP, politically active in the Democrat Party, an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity legacy (line named “sole survivor” as he was the single lamp to be initiated that semester) and was a Cub Scout troop leader when his boys were young. He was a soccer coach for many years with the Police Athletic League and gave many years of his time and financial support to teaching both the sport and life lessons to the countless number of boys he coached.

Throughout his professional career, Carl believed in protecting the rights of others through working as an Equal Opportunities Officer and human resources manager, recruiter, and trainer for multiple international corporations.

Carl remained active in the Ball State alumni community throughout his life and was recognized in 2018 as an outstanding alumnus. He was a man of God and served on the Deacon Board at Greater St. Mark Baptist Church, where he received the call and was ordained as a minister in 1993. He was the founding pastor of Eagles Nest Baptist Ministries in Indianapolis and retired earlier this year as Senior Pastor at Greater Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Indiana. Sharing the word of God was one of his greatest accomplishments in life. Carl also presided over many of our friends and family’s weddings and home going services and spent many Sundays in the pulpit of Immanuel Presbyterian and Witherspoon Presbyterian Church.

Buddy had many interests. He loved to cook and entertain, enjoyed cheering for his hometown Colts and Pacers, and particularly loved everything about soccer. He took much delight in watching his children and grandchildren excel in sports and all other activities they pursued. 

Buddy had a keen interest in his family history and legacy. He served as his family reunion president for many years and strongly believed in keeping family connections strong. He left us with countless happy memories and will be forever cherished in our hearts. There is no doubt that he is being welcomed by his ancestors and our God. 

Carl was a loving and devoted husband, father, and Pops. He was a fiercely loyal friend who will be missed and never forgotten. As a final act of love and kindness, he was an organ donor.

Mourning his passing- his wife of 52 years, Portia Elaine Kemper Radford, three sons- Carl E. Radford, III (Andrea); Christopher Radford (Erika); Cameron Radford (Samantha); two grandchildren- Kari and Lucas Radford; sisters Cheryl Shelton (Ezra) Teresa Skipper; brother Derek Radford; Aunt Vera Radford and Uncle Philip (Joyce) Radford; Aunt Margaret Spicer. He also leaves to mourn a large extended family of aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and cherished lifelong friends.