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Brock -- Stephen Lafayette Brock, 86, a longtime resident of Roy, New Mexico passed away on Friday, June 14, 2002. Steve was a former New Mexico State Senator and former President of the New Mexico Farm Bureau. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia Brock of Alamogordo, Stephanie Brock and husband, David Lock and their children, Alicia and Zack of Wallace, Kansas; Bonnie Wood and husband, Charles and their children, Jessica and Laura of Huntsville, Alabama; and Georjean Brock and her daughter, Catherine Donnell of Albuquerque; his sisters, Edna Magee of Austin, Texas, Florence Welborn of Jerusalem, Israel, and Frances Swindle of Albuquerque; many loving nephews and nieces; and caregiver and neighbor, Lydia Smith of Roy. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean; his sister, Mozelle Miller; and his brother, Jesse Oscar Brock. Steve was born on November 28, 1915 in Roby, Texas, to Lester and Hettie Brock. His family moved to a farm in Union, Texas by covered wagon when Steve was a child. His childhood adventures included being one of the first people to tour Carlsbad Caverns at a time when visitors were lowered into the cave by rope, carried kerosene lanterns for lighting, and were guided by the caverns' discoverer, a cowboy named Jim White. After graduating from high school, Steve enrolled at Texas Tech University. He worked in the school dairy for four years and roomed with George Tate, who served as the original"Red Raider" horseman at Tech football games. George remained a loyal and honorable lifelong friend to Steve. After graduating in 1937 with a degree in animal husbandry, Steve moved to Clayton, New Mexico to accept the position of assistant county agent for the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) in Union County. He later moved to Mosquero, New Mexico to accept a promotion as CES county agent for Harding County. These were years of hardship in the region due to the economic depression and Dust Bowl drought. Steve responded to these challenges by serving the people of the area with enthusiasm, good humor, and a vigorous work ethic that distinguished his entire life. Steve deeply admired the fortitude and strong character of the region's people. He established many friendships and especially appreciated pioneer settlers such as Hugh Mitchell, who was a good and supportive friend through the years. Although Steve was one of New Mexico's youngest county agents in one of the state's smallest counties, CES leaders recognized Steve's extraordinary dedication to excellence. In 1940, the CES appointed him State Livestock Specialist for the entire state, and he moved to Las Cruces. Immediately following America's entry in World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Steve graduated from officers' training school and was stationed in Britain. On June 6, 1944, he was in charge of four landing craft (LCT) that ferried troops to Normandy beaches during the D-Day invasion to liberate Europe. Over 40 years later, he visited the Normandy coast again with his nephew, Steve Magee, and clearly recalled the positions of the German guns that intensely fired at his LCTs during the assault. After D-Day, he was selected to enroll in the Naval War College at Princeton University to prepare for military government service in the Far East. He later served in Okinawa. Following the war, he returned to New Mexico where he entered into a ranching partnership with Luther Harland. Steve remained very grateful for Luther's assistance in helping him enter the ranching business. He loved livestock and land stewardship. His ranching experience later included nine years in Minneola, Kansas. Steve had many unique experiences during his life, including serving on the federal jury in Albuquerque, with Judge Carl O. Hatch presiding, that convicted high-ranking public officials of charges stemming from a famous murder investigation in Dona Ana County. Steve later served in the State Senate and as President of the New Mexico Farm Bureau, where he was a tireless advocate for his constituents. Throughout his life, Steve retained a keen interest in public affairs and learning. He especially enjoyed studying the lives of Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Robert E. Lee, all of whom he greatly admired. Steve was a Mason and a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, serving three years as First Reader in the Dodge City, Kansas, church. Because Steve took a special interest in young people and recognized the importance of education in providing opportunities for happier lives, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory be made tot he Harding County 4-H, P.O. Box 156, Courthouse, Mosquero, NM, 87733. One of Steve's final requests was that the following poem be included in his obituary. Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For through from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapel. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, 984-8600.
        Published on: Tue June 18, 2002