Governor orders flags to half-staff Thursday in honor of Doc Stewart

Gov. Bill Richardson ordered all state flags be flown at half-staff today through Thursday in honor of Clovis civic leader and devout Cannon Air Force Base supporter Ernest “Doc” Stewart.

Stewart, 81, died Monday due to heart and pulmonary complications.

A crowd of more than 1,000 is expected to attend Stewart’s memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday at Central Baptist Church, church secretary Euealle Webb said.

Stewart was a member of Central Baptist.

Herbert Bergstrom and Mike Eberhardt will officiate.

“We are expecting a lot of people and a lot of military dignitaries,” Webb said.

She said the church will set up an overflow area for about 400 guests in a building on the north side of the church, complete with an audio feed. The sanctuary room and foyer where the services will be held can accommodate up to 700 people, she said.

Ceremonies will also include a 21-gun salute and a military flyover with planes from Cannon, Webb said.

A private memorial service for the military, Stewart’s family, and invited guests will be held at Cannon.

Air Force officials from outside Cannon will likely attend that ceremony. However, Capt. Andre Kok of Cannon’s public affairs office said he did not yet know the extent of the guest list.