Stephen Farris

‘… and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.’

Stephen Farris attained a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Geology from New Mexico State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico.  He was a practicing geologist and had great knowledge and understanding of the geology of New Mexico from his education and life experience in the family uranium mining in the Grants area as a child, and later exploring for mineral resources himself.  He became a member of the State Bar of New Mexico in 1990 and spent most of his career working at the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, where he worked for three of New Mexico’s Attorneys General.  He was the head of the NMAG's water law division.  Prior to his position as the Assistant Attorney General, Stephen was counsel for the New Mexico State Engineer and the Interstate Stream Commission.  He represented the State of New Mexico in water law cases that were both legally and scientifically complex.  Stephen was a respected professional in every aspect.  His technical background as a former geologist provided the foundation for his well-known expertise in water law.  As a native son of New Mexico, Stephen served as a lead attorney representing the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General's Office in the protection of our limited water resources.  He provided steadfast and wise counsel in state and federal courts, and always did so with integrity, in a courteous manner and always with a measure of good humor.  The respect for his legal knowledge was captured in his co-authorship of an interstate river compact template that has been applied on a national and international level. Stephen’s entire career was in service to the State of New Mexico and its citizens.  Stephen retired as Chief Water Counsel and Director of the Water, Environment and Utility Division of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office.

Stephen was a talented storyteller.  He used stories as a vehicle to impart information as he presented a position to state or federal legislative committees or to a court. His stories held his audience, conveying the wisdom of his position without their knowledge of the persuasion that they had undergone. Adversaries would nod in agreement and stumble to advocate the contrary.  His storytelling gift may have been a product of his consummate reading.  No genre was unexplored.  His knowledge of Shakespeare bordered on eidetic and he had no reservations relating the Bard to his professional and everyday life.

Stephen was born on June 1, 1955 in Gallup, New Mexico.  He passed away on May 28, 2020 in the loving care of the staff of Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque.  Stephen was preceded in death by his parents Quimby (Tink) and Nelle and his brother Bradford. He is survived by his spouse, John Quinn Pate and his sister Carole Jean Farris, countless friends and colleagues, and as he was a member of one of New Mexico’s heritage families, numerous relatives across the country.  Services will be announced at a later date.

‘For in that sleep of death what dreams may come’