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STEWART -- Dr. M. Buren Stewart, 92, former pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2008. Dr. Stewart, son of S. M. and Katie Stewart, pioneer settlers in territorial New Mexico, was born near Grady, NM on Friday, December 17, 1915. He graduated from Clovis High School and attended Eastern New Mexico University the first two years of its existence, and received his B. A. Degree from Highlands University and completed one half of his masters from the University of New Mexico. On Sunday, August 21, 1938, he married Gladys Ellen Crump of Clovis, NM. Dr. Stewart taught three years at Springer High School and then went to work for "The National Youth Administration." He was principal of Santa Rosa, New Mexico Elementary School when he entered the service in World War II. He served in the 42nd Army (Rainbow) Division. He was in the unit which liberated Dachau Concentration Camp. At the end of World War II, Dr. Stewart began his theological training at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, which he completed at Northwestern University (Garrett Theological) Chicago in 1948. The Stewarts only child, Joseph Martin, was born in Rockford, IL, in 1947. Dr. Stewart served churches which ranged from fewer that 100 members to churches with a membership of over 2,300. He served two six-year terms as District Superintendent in the Carlsbad and El Paso Districts. Other appointments served were Ranchvale, Ruidoso, Eunice, Las Vegas, Odessa, Texas (Highland), Grace Alamogordo and St. Johns' United Methodist Church, Albuquerque. At St. John's, Dr. Stewart, as Senior Pastor for nine years, completed a building program costing almost one million dollars, and retired in 1983. He was a delegate to five Jurisdictional Conferences, Three General Conferences and one World Methodist Conference. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Ellen Crump; his parents; and only siblings, Ruby Rucker and Winnie Briggs. Dr. Stewart is survived by his son, Joseph M. Stewart of Albuquerque; nephews, Gene Rucker and wife, Patty of Hobbs, NM, Terry Stovall and wife, Pam, Wayne Reid and wife, Donna of Clovis, NM; nieces, Lennie and husband, Dr. David Townsend of Alamogordo, Melva and husband, Everette Jaycox of Alto, NM, Carlene S. Briggs of Cloudcroft, NM, Nelva and husband, Wesley Williams, of Hobbs, NM, Sharon and husband, Dr. Merle Benson of Albuquerque, Marla and husband, Mike Wersonick of Edgewood, NM and Jane Rucker of Texas. In addition, Dr. Stewart is survived by several great-nephews and nieces all of whom he was proud. Services will be held Monday, October 13, 2008, 11:00 a.m., at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE. Interment will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens, 1601 E. Llano Estacado, Clovis, NM on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Sunday, October 12, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Merle Benson, Everett Jaycox, Gene Rucker, Dave Townsend, Mike Wersonick, Wesley Williams. Honorary Pallbearer's will be Dwane Clark, Bernie Hulme, John Reid, Wayne Reid, Terry Stovall. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Sat October 11, 2008