J.R. Stewart

J.R. (Ray) Stewart, 61, of Las Cruces, NM entered eternal life on November 27, 2017. He was born in El Paso, TX, son of John Raymond and Virginia Stewart. J.R. graduated from Las Cruces High School and earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years and was very proud of his military background. J.R. then joined the police academy and became a Las Cruces Police Officer in 1979 and retired after 35 years of service. He was loved and respected in our community. J.R. served his country and community with honor and volunteered much of his time to those organizations he held dear to his heart. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Lodge 8, and National FOP Trustee. He also was a member of the following organizations: Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Assembly #0684 and also Knights of Columbus Council #1226, American Legion Post #10, Lifetime Member of the Disabled American Veterans, Moose Lodge #2081, Armaduras LEMC and Los Indigenes de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. He was a communicant at Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Genevieve Catholic Church.

In 1977, J.R. met the love of his life Rosie Hernandez Stewart. They married on November 11, 2000 and were inseparable and lived an adventurous life. They were each other’s rock and loved each other deeply.

J.R. leaves his beloved wife Rosie; his daughter, Ashley and her husband Jeremy. He also leaves his mother Virginia; his only sister Tika her husband Jack and brothers, Juanie and wife Brenda, Andre and wife Debbie, Chris and wife Esther, Jimmy and wife Debbie; his grandchildren, Brody and Kennedy. Other survivors include his father-in-law, Hilario Hernandez; brothers-in-law, Polo and wife Mary, Tony and wife Roseanne and his sister-in-law Donna and her husband George as well as numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, John Raymond Stewart and his mother-in-law, Anne P. Hernandez.

J.R. was friend to all. To know him was to love him. J.R. left a legacy in law enforcement and pure goodness that is incomparable. We will miss him and try to emulate his passion for life in all that we do.

J.R. will be reposing from 2 PM to 4 PM Friday, December 1, 2017 in Baca’s Funeral Chapel, 300 E. Boutz Road. A Prayer Vigil is scheduled for 7:30 PM the same evening at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 100 S. Espina where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, December 2, 2017. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Marine Corps League – El Perro Diablo Detachment.  

Serving as casket bearers will be Santino Hernandez, Paul Hernandez, Chito Hernandez, Chris Hernandez, Ryan Stewart, Aaron Stewart, Shelton Dodson, Rudy Trevino, Ralph Rios and Michael Hernandez. Honorary bearers will be Jacob Hernandez, Santiago Stewart, Daniel Stewart, Brody Salas, Kennedy Garcia, Sergio Hernandez, Benny Hernandez, Antonio Hernandez, Marissa Stewart, Tatiana Stewart, Raelene Stewart, Olivia Stewart and Zade Legaretta.

J.R. was a dear friend to many and will be deeply missed. Rest in peace 141.

Entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 527-2222. Your exclusive providers for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com