Stafford Eugene Polk Jr.

Stafford Eugene Polk Jr. July 22, 1927 – May 2, 2014 As Gene would say, he was born ‘at a very early age’ in Abilene, Texas. He was raised in Amarillo, Texas where he delivered papers, worked in his father’s restaurant, danced with his mother's dance group, played football, and was an altar boy. After joining the navy, Gene served his country during World War II on the USS New Jersey and the USS Cape Esperance. Upon returning to the States he entered the University of New Mexico where he had a triple play. He graduated with a degree in Geology, played football for one of the University’s top coaches, and married the coach's daughter, Sally DeGroot. Gene was hired on the day of his final exams by Baroid Drilling Company and would go on to work with them and the drilling fluids industry for the next 62 plus years. He was the ultimate "Mud-Man”, and was respected worldwide as a consummate drilling fluids expert. Gene worked a lot of night shifts as he started his career, moving from one drilling rig site to another, in the process having five children within six years, each in a different state. He eventually settled in Farmington, NM, where his big heart extended into the community. Concerned for young boys who were getting into trouble, he started a boxing club. Having boxed in high school and in the Navy, he became the coach. Gene saw a need to expand the program and so worked hard to get a national affiliation with the Boys Clubs of America. 50+ years later, the Farmington Boys and Girls Club is still serving the community. He and his wife Sal were always opening their home to creatures in need, two legged and four. Gene’s love language was food. He perfected refrigerator eggs: whatever was in the fridge went into the eggs… always delicious. He showed up at every track meet, wrestling match, horse show, etc., that his kids were in, loaded down with food, treats, and drinks galore. He was well known for his culinary gifts, whether he was dropping off goodies at the local fire station, giving biscochitos and cashews to customers, or taking baggies of chocolate to every doctor appointment, bank visit, and post office stop. If there were policemen or firemen dining in the same restaurant he insisted on buying their meals, and of course he would use his “major credit card”, a joke card played on every waitress/waiter across the country bringing great smiles and laughter to all. Gene got transferred with Baroid to Sandia Park in the East Mountains outside Albuquerque in the mid 70s. He bought an old abandoned camp for handicapped kids so his wife Sal could have her 75 horses. Sal began competing in Masters and Senior track and field competitions, so Gene decided to support her by traveling and competing with her. Competing was never his forte, but supplying the treats always was. Gene attended Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, where he kept the pastor supplied with plenty of jokes and anecdotes. Gene was also instrumental in the spiritual development of his children and grandchildren, being a constant source of wise advice and sponsoring them on their global outreaches and disaster relief trips. Gene didn’t let things get him down and he tried to help others do the same. “Carry the smooth end and let the rough end drag”; “Be a duck – let it roll off your back,” he would say. He lived these out even as he was house bound the last years of his life and completely bedridden for the last ten months. Gene loved looking out at the mountains and watching the birds on the feeding station that his daughter and faithful care taker, Sani, had built for him, with his old buddy Cool Cat curled up beside him. Until the moment he went home, Gene held onto his humor and his great capacity for love, both of which will continue on in the lives of those who loved him. Gene is survived by his brother, Pete Polk and his wife Flo, his five children: Kim Alsup, Staff Polk, Linn Dunton, Fritz Polk, and Sani Withers, their spouses, 14 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday May 17th at Mountain Christian Church, 12242 HWY North 14 in Cedar Crest, NM. There will also be a service held in Aztec, NM on Wednesday, May 21st at 6:30PM at Animas Valley Community Church, 500 E. Sabena. In lieu of flowers Gene’s desire was that donations be made to the Animas Valley Community Church Outreach fund, 500 E. Sabena, Aztec, NM 87410. A tax deductible receipt will be issued.

Stafford Eugene Polk Jr.

July 22, 1927 - May 2, 2014