James Contway

James "Randy" Contway, better known as Chef JR, passed away peacefully at his home in Ruidoso, NM on October 19, 2016.

JR was born June 2, 1949 in Silver City, NM. After some years in California, he returned to the southwest and graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM. He attended college in Colorado Springs, CO and then was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

JR achieved his life-long dream of becoming an Executive Chef. After serving as Executive Chef in New Orleans, New York and Houston, he became Executive Chef at the Bentwood Country Club in San Angelo, TX in 1990 and remained there 11 years. He was excited to move to Ruidoso and serve as Executive Chef at the Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club (ALG&CC) from 2001 to 2012.

JR loved living in Ruidoso, and he and his wife, Doris, built their home backing up to the national forest. He had many friends in the Arid Group-AA community. He founded the White Apron Society with his fellow chefs throughout Ruidoso as a community service. He headed up catering for Dreamcatcher Cafe after retiring from ALG&CC, and he conducted his popular cooking classes at Sanctuary on the River until last year.
JR is survived by his wife, Doris Schoffthaler Contway; his daughter, Kristen Gassner and her husband Brandon and grandson, Maverick Clay Gassner, all from Round Rock, TX; his niece, Tiffany McVickar and her husband, Rick, and their daughter Kayla, all from San Diego, CA; and cousins Jeff, Chris and Chip Johnson and their wives, and his Aunt Mary Lou Johnson, all from Oklahoma; and his Uncle Jim Alexander and wife Barbara from Carson City, NV.

JR's wife and family extend their sincere thanks to Encompass Home Health and Hospice for their end-of-life care. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, JR requested donations be made to the Humane Society of Lincoln County Capital Campaign Fund to build the new shelter and/or the White Apron Society.

JR's Celebration of Life will be held at Sanctuary on the River on Saturday, November 19,2016 at 11:00 am.

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