PO Box 25126 Albuquerque, NM 87125 1-505-345-3536 info@sunset-memorial.comIn November 2007, the French Family of Companies celebrated our 100th Anniversary. That is an accomplishment for any business, but for us, it is especially important because we have remained family owned throughout our history. This is significant because it means that we have stayed true to the principles upon which our business was founded by Chester T. French in 1907. Mr. French recognized this communities need for caring service for families experiencing the death of loved ones and opened his first funeral home on the corner of Central and 5th Street in Albuquerque.As he became rooted in the community, Mr. French found the need for families to have a choice in cemetery care. After a trip to California where he experienced a cemetery with a park like atmosphere, he brought the innovative concept back to New Mexico and founded Sunset Memorial Park in 1929. His goal was to provide an endowed-care cemetery that created a comfortable environment for families to remember and visit their loved ones. Over 80 years after the first burial, Sunset is one of the most highly endowed cemeteries in the southwest, with over six million dollars in an endowment trust. Today, The French Family of Companies is locally owned and operated by Chairman Chester French Stewart, grandson of Mr. French; President and CEO D.F. "Duffy" Swan; Vice President Bob H. Stewart, grandson of Mr. French; and General Manager Karl Saltzman. Sunset Memorial Park is operated by General Manager, Vaughn Hendren and governed by its Board of Directors - Duffy Swan, Chester F. Stewart, Bob H. Stewart, Paul F. Layer, Jr., Charles B. Batsel, James T. Roach, Laree E. Perez and Robert L. Bovinette.
PO Box 25126 Albuquerque, NM 87125 1-505-345-3536 info@sunset-memorial.com
In November 2007, the French Family of Companies celebrated our 100th Anniversary. That is an accomplishment
for any business, but for us, it is especially important because we have remained family owned throughout our
history. This is significant because it means that we have stayed true to the principles upon which our business was
founded by Chester T. French in 1907. Mr. French recognized this communities need for caring service for families
experiencing the death of loved ones and opened his first funeral home on the corner of Central and 5th Street in
Albuquerque.
As he became rooted in the community, Mr. French found the need for families to have a choice in cemetery care.
After a trip to California where he experienced a cemetery with a park like atmosphere, he brought the innovative
concept back to New Mexico and founded Sunset Memorial Park in 1929. His goal was to provide an endowed-care
cemetery that created a comfortable environment for families to remember and visit their loved ones. Over 80 years
after the first burial, Sunset is one of the most highly endowed cemeteries in the southwest, with over six million
dollars in an endowment trust.
Today, The French Family of Companies is locally owned and operated by Chairman Chester French Stewart,
grandson of Mr. French; President and CEO D.F. "Duffy" Swan; Vice President Bob H. Stewart, grandson of Mr.
French; and General Manager Karl Saltzman. Sunset Memorial Park is operated by General Manager, Vaughn
Hendren and governed by its Board of Directors - Duffy Swan, Chester F. Stewart, Bob H. Stewart, Paul F. Layer,
Jr., Charles B. Batsel, James T. Roach, Laree E. Perez and Robert L. Bovinette.
