John Mclemore

He bravely fought the long hard battle
He would not give in
But the enemy prevailed
And now it is time to rest
John W. McLemore, well known Retired Magistrate Judge, passed away January 23rd after battling cancer for almost four years. He endured ten surgeries by his trusted surgeon, Dr. Joe Cordero from Texas Tech Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, and they became very close. He was born on September 22, 1932 in Stamford, Texas to John W. and Inez Buske McLemore, both deceased. His father was killed in a farm accident when he was six years old and his mother later married R. V. Young of Roswell when John was 11 years old and they made Roswell their home. John joined the Navy in 1951, serving mostly in Korea and Japan, and during the Korean conflict aboard LSD which carried Marines to the beaches into battle. After the Korean Peace Treaty, he was discharged in 1954 and returned to Roswell.
He married Leola Hardage on May 21, 1951 in Roswell. They spent almost 59 years together. They had one daughter, Susan, who was born with a heart defect and was nearly three when she died in 1959.
John went to work for the Roswell Police Department on January 1, 1955 and was there until 1969, working Patrol, Motorcycle Traffic, Detective, and Shift Lieutenant. He was the first police officer to become a Public Relations Officer and became very well known to the public. In 1969, he became the District Supervisor for Blue CrossBlue Shield of New Mexico for 8 years. Becoming interested in politics, he ran for County Commissioner in 1976, but lost out to well known Richard Bean. In 1978, he ran for the office of Magistrate Judge, won against the incumbent and was reelected for three more terms, the last three terms were uncontested. He served as Magistrate Judge from January 1, 1979 to June 30, 1993, when he and Leola retired at the same time. John was very proud of his service on the bench. Even after years of retirement, people still commented to him that they wished he were still a judge.
John was a people person and loved to talk to anyone, anywhere, any time and he had many, many friends. His life was filled with jobs involving people from car salesman, funeral home attendant, insurance work, police work, even work on ranches when he was young where he loved to rodeo and ride bulls. He loved to travel and he and Leola spent quite a few years going in their fifth wheel trailer accompanied by their various dogs during the years.
He was active in the civic life, having served on the Salvation Army Board, Job Corps and was appointed by Gov. Tony Anaya to the New Mexico Prison Board where he served one term before a decision was made that a Judge could no longer be appointed to that board. He was a Mason since March 20, 1970, spending 39 years of service. He was Master of Lodge 74 in 1994, and he became a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite. He was a life member of the Elks, member of the Fraternal Order of Police, member of the American Legion and the VFW, and took a turn as Honor Guard at funerals for veterans.
Survivors include his wife, Leola, nephews and their wives: Jerald and Renate McLemore Mike and Patsy McLemore Roger and Sandy Bunkley James Bunkley and Tim Bunkley nieces, Glinda and Mike Martindale Carol and Jerry Dossey along with their extended families all from Texas.
Also surviving are his sisters by marriage, Lola Evans Leolas twin Lenora Rogers Lois Brown Levena Dean and husband Daniel Lila Stevens and Linda Schnaible along with their extended families. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Lucille Bunkley and two brothers, Arnold and Buck McLemore and their spouses and by four brothersinlaw by marriage and a dear niece, Lisa Silva.
Thanks to special friends, John and LeNora Correia. Special mention to John making us his mission in life by driving us back and forth from Lubbock and for being there during all surgeries and checkups and to LeNora for supporting him in his endeavor. Thanks to Jason Penn for all his unfailing helpfulness through this difficult time.
A Masonic graveside service for burial of Johns ashes is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2010 at South Park Cemetery under the auspices of the Roswell Masonic Low Twelve Club. Rev. Gorton Smith of First United Methodist Church and Bill Jones of Tinnie Baptist Church will officiate. Following the graveside service the family will receive friends at a reception at the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania.
Contributions in Johns memory may be made to the New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, P.O. Box 48, Portales, NM 88130, the Shriners Crippled Childrens Fund, P.O. Box 8410, Albuquerque, M 87198, or any charity of your choice.
FEELINGS
We feel sad,
For what we have lost.
We feel happy
for what we have had.
We feel poor,
For the empty spaces.
We feel rich,
For we have each other.
We will cry,
For what we cant have.
We will laugh,
For our memories abound.
We will hurt,
For the love we cant give
We will rejoice,
For the love we have received.
We will be restless,
For our lives are not whole.
We will be peaceful,
For we know it is not forever.
By Annette Hamilton
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

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Cemetery