Rockdale,TX Class of 1965
Richard Eugene Grubbs - Class of 1964
November 9, 1995
Rockdale Reporter November 16, 1995
San Antonio ? Sgt. First Class Richard E. Grubbs, 50, retired military, of San Antonio, died Thursday, November 9, 1995.
He was preceded in death by his father, Myrt W. Grubbs and a sister, Betty Ruth Alexander. Survivors are his wife, Dayle Ann Parry; mother, Rachel Grubbs of Rockdale, four brothers, John Grubbs, Edward Grubbs, Joe Grubbs and Tom Grubbs; three sisters, Polly Schmock, Monki Howard and Bennye Plumlee; also numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
At Richard's request, no services will be held. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Family Hospice of San Antonio, 6800 Park Ten Blvd, San Antonio, Texas 78213 or the Ryan White Foundation.
Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuaries, 1101 McCullough, San Antonio, TX.
November 9, 1995
Rockdale Reporter November 16, 1995
San Antonio ? Sgt. First Class Richard E. Grubbs, 50, retired military, of San Antonio, died Thursday, November 9, 1995.
He was preceded in death by his father, Myrt W. Grubbs and a sister, Betty Ruth Alexander. Survivors are his wife, Dayle Ann Parry; mother, Rachel Grubbs of Rockdale, four brothers, John Grubbs, Edward Grubbs, Joe Grubbs and Tom Grubbs; three sisters, Polly Schmock, Monki Howard and Bennye Plumlee; also numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
At Richard's request, no services will be held. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Family Hospice of San Antonio, 6800 Park Ten Blvd, San Antonio, Texas 78213 or the Ryan White Foundation.
Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuaries, 1101 McCullough, San Antonio, TX.
John R. Praesel - Class of 1964
June 13, 1986
Rockdale Reporter June 19, 1986
Funeral services for John R. Praesel, 40, were held at 3:00 PM Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church with burial in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Rev Herbert Lammert, pastor of Peace Luthern, officiated.
Mr Praesel died Thursday evening in an accident on an oil lease south of Rockdale in Burleson County.
A lifelong resident of Rockdale, he was the son of Arthur and Ida Schramm Praesel and was born May 4, 1946, On Feb 19, 1967 he and Birdie Ullrich were married in Brenham and she survives him.
Mr Praesel was a rancher and co?owner of The Fashion Center. He was a lifetime member of the Future Farmers of America Alumni of Rockdale and also served as a member of the FFA Alumni board of directors. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and active in hunting and outdoor activities.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Tammy Lynn and Deborah Sue, both of Rockdale; his mother, Ida Praesel of Rockdale; 2 brothers, A.G. Praesel of Rockdale and Charles Ernest Praesel of Mt. Vernon; a sister, Mary Wanda Fleming of Palmer; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were A. G. Gus Praesel Jr., Roger Praesel, Wayne Willman, Douglas Schlemmer, Timothy Buscha, and Lynwood Dale Ullrich.
Honorary pallbearers were Hughie Smith, Jim McDonald, Frank Crump, Carl Moody, Robert Urban, J. P. Cooksey, and Walter Cannon.
Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
*****
June 13, 1986
Rockdale Reporter June 19, 1986
Funeral services for John R. Praesel, 40, were held at 3:00 PM Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church with burial in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Rev Herbert Lammert, pastor of Peace Luthern, officiated.
Mr Praesel died Thursday evening in an accident on an oil lease south of Rockdale in Burleson County.
A lifelong resident of Rockdale, he was the son of Arthur and Ida Schramm Praesel and was born May 4, 1946, On Feb 19, 1967 he and Birdie Ullrich were married in Brenham and she survives him.
Mr Praesel was a rancher and co?owner of The Fashion Center. He was a lifetime member of the Future Farmers of America Alumni of Rockdale and also served as a member of the FFA Alumni board of directors. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and active in hunting and outdoor activities.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Tammy Lynn and Deborah Sue, both of Rockdale; his mother, Ida Praesel of Rockdale; 2 brothers, A.G. Praesel of Rockdale and Charles Ernest Praesel of Mt. Vernon; a sister, Mary Wanda Fleming of Palmer; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were A. G. Gus Praesel Jr., Roger Praesel, Wayne Willman, Douglas Schlemmer, Timothy Buscha, and Lynwood Dale Ullrich.
Honorary pallbearers were Hughie Smith, Jim McDonald, Frank Crump, Carl Moody, Robert Urban, J. P. Cooksey, and Walter Cannon.
Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
*****
H. K. Petie Clark - Class of 1964
May 23, 1969
Staff Sgt. Howe King (Petie) Clark, Jr.,killed in action in Vietnam May 23, 1969. Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. F. T. Sager of Brenham, former pastor of Peace Lutheran, officiating.
As services were conducted at the church and cemetery, business houses in Rockdale closed in memoriam. U.S. flags were mounted on the streets in tribute to Sgt. Clark's service for his country. This was in response to a proclamation issued by Mayor Harold Luckey asking that a special show of respect be given.
The 23-year-old soldier, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark of 123 Scarbrough, died in hostile action in Vietnam,
Army officials said. The family had been notified May 26 that Sgt. Clark was missing in action. His death was confirmed May 27.
He had been in the Army for 22 months and in Vietnam since August. He was with Company C, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 1st Infantry Division.
Army officials described Sgt. Clark as an "excellent soldier who had advanced rapidly in rank during his 22 months service." He was a graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers School at Fort Benning, Ga.
His death occurred in the northern combat area of South Vietnam. His unit had spend much of its duty in that area, near
Loc Ninh, and one of his recent letters to his parents noted that his unit was only about four miles from the Cambodian border.
"His letters mentioned the fast-moving pace his unit maintained but he did not complain," his father said. Among many photographs Sgt. Clark sent home were scenes of village evacuations and burnings and a Viet Cong arms cache.
Sgt. Clark was born June 13, 1946 at Cameron and graduated from Rockdale High School in May of 1964. While a
student, he worked for six years part-time at McVoy Grocery & Feed Co. Following graduation from high school he
attended Blinn College at Brenham for two years and also Stephen F. Austin College. He was baptized at Peach Lutheran Church on Jan. 14, 1951 and was confirmed at that church Sept. 4, 1960. Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark; grandparents, Mrs. J. M. Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Doss; a sister, Frances Ann Clark, all of
Rockdale; and a brother, Ken Lee Clark, surviving with the U.S. Air Force in Thailand. The brother, who had been in Thailand only 10 days was flown here by the Air Force for the funeral.
Pallbearers were Robert Urban, Clark Cobb, Johnny Praesel, Carl Moody, Bob Melcher and Caroll Grimm, all close
friends of Sgt. Clark.
Sgt. Clark is the second Rockdale soldier to die in Vietnam action. The first was Sgt. Tommie Joe Clark, killed on
December 16, 1968. They were not related.
***************
For a tribute to Petie visit http://www.factsfacts.com/petie/
(site created by Jerrianne Fuller Evans RHS Class of 1964)
and http://www.virtualwall.org/dc/ClarkHK01a.htm
May 23, 1969
Staff Sgt. Howe King (Petie) Clark, Jr.,killed in action in Vietnam May 23, 1969. Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. F. T. Sager of Brenham, former pastor of Peace Lutheran, officiating.
As services were conducted at the church and cemetery, business houses in Rockdale closed in memoriam. U.S. flags were mounted on the streets in tribute to Sgt. Clark's service for his country. This was in response to a proclamation issued by Mayor Harold Luckey asking that a special show of respect be given.
The 23-year-old soldier, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark of 123 Scarbrough, died in hostile action in Vietnam,
Army officials said. The family had been notified May 26 that Sgt. Clark was missing in action. His death was confirmed May 27.
He had been in the Army for 22 months and in Vietnam since August. He was with Company C, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 1st Infantry Division.
Army officials described Sgt. Clark as an "excellent soldier who had advanced rapidly in rank during his 22 months service." He was a graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers School at Fort Benning, Ga.
His death occurred in the northern combat area of South Vietnam. His unit had spend much of its duty in that area, near
Loc Ninh, and one of his recent letters to his parents noted that his unit was only about four miles from the Cambodian border.
"His letters mentioned the fast-moving pace his unit maintained but he did not complain," his father said. Among many photographs Sgt. Clark sent home were scenes of village evacuations and burnings and a Viet Cong arms cache.
Sgt. Clark was born June 13, 1946 at Cameron and graduated from Rockdale High School in May of 1964. While a
student, he worked for six years part-time at McVoy Grocery & Feed Co. Following graduation from high school he
attended Blinn College at Brenham for two years and also Stephen F. Austin College. He was baptized at Peach Lutheran Church on Jan. 14, 1951 and was confirmed at that church Sept. 4, 1960. Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark; grandparents, Mrs. J. M. Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Doss; a sister, Frances Ann Clark, all of
Rockdale; and a brother, Ken Lee Clark, surviving with the U.S. Air Force in Thailand. The brother, who had been in Thailand only 10 days was flown here by the Air Force for the funeral.
Pallbearers were Robert Urban, Clark Cobb, Johnny Praesel, Carl Moody, Bob Melcher and Caroll Grimm, all close
friends of Sgt. Clark.
Sgt. Clark is the second Rockdale soldier to die in Vietnam action. The first was Sgt. Tommie Joe Clark, killed on
December 16, 1968. They were not related.
***************
For a tribute to Petie visit http://www.factsfacts.com/petie/
(site created by Jerrianne Fuller Evans RHS Class of 1964)
and http://www.virtualwall.org/dc/ClarkHK01a.htm
Gary Holliman - Class of 1964
October 11, 2005
Rockdale Reporter. October 13, 2005
Services for Gary Holliman, 59, of Rockdale will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, in Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Rev. Jack Chelf of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the funeral home.
Mr. Holliman died Tuesday morning, Oct. 11, at his home near Rockdale.
Formerly of Waco, he was born Aug. 10, 1946, in Rockdale to Walter Harvey and Ruby Lee (Doss) Holliman.
He married Elaine Lewis on June 30, 1967, in Olton.
Mr. Holliman was a 1964 graduate of Rockdale High School where he was active in football, basketball, baseball, track and number sense. He attended Baylor University on a football scholarship and played football, baseball and basketball his freshman year. He received his bachelors of science degree in mathematics.
Post-college he was still active in recreational sports, coaching 10 years in Midway Little League, then Rockdale Youth baseball.
In Waco, Mr. Holliman was a member of First Baptist Church Woodway for 15 years and was a current member of First Baptist Church in Rockdale.
He was a systems engineer for IBM 30 years, a rancher and an independent contractor for Central Freight in Waco. He recently was a contractor with RFD Associates in Austin.
Mr. Holliman was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors are his wife, Elaine Holliman of Rockdale; a son, Steven Lane Holliman of Rockdale; three daughters, Cathryn McLendon and husband Frank of Murphy, Leslie Hasselbach and husband Brent of Rockdale, Julie Wallace and husband Danny of Georgetown; a brother, Harvey Lee Holliman and wife Jane of Rockdale; a sister, Mary Ann Fenske and husband Robert of Carrollton; and 10 grandchildren, Annie Grace Hasselbach, Elise Cathryn McLendon, Austin Charles Wallace, Doss Paul Hasselbach, Mitchell Dane McLendon, Abigail Elaine Wallace, Kayla Lee Wallace, Jake Leslie Hasselbach, Julia Elisabeth McLendon and Garrett Thomas Wallace.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Family Life Center, P.O. Box 109, Rockdale, TX 76567.
October 11, 2005
Rockdale Reporter. October 13, 2005
Services for Gary Holliman, 59, of Rockdale will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, in Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Rev. Jack Chelf of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the funeral home.
Mr. Holliman died Tuesday morning, Oct. 11, at his home near Rockdale.
Formerly of Waco, he was born Aug. 10, 1946, in Rockdale to Walter Harvey and Ruby Lee (Doss) Holliman.
He married Elaine Lewis on June 30, 1967, in Olton.
Mr. Holliman was a 1964 graduate of Rockdale High School where he was active in football, basketball, baseball, track and number sense. He attended Baylor University on a football scholarship and played football, baseball and basketball his freshman year. He received his bachelors of science degree in mathematics.
Post-college he was still active in recreational sports, coaching 10 years in Midway Little League, then Rockdale Youth baseball.
In Waco, Mr. Holliman was a member of First Baptist Church Woodway for 15 years and was a current member of First Baptist Church in Rockdale.
He was a systems engineer for IBM 30 years, a rancher and an independent contractor for Central Freight in Waco. He recently was a contractor with RFD Associates in Austin.
Mr. Holliman was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors are his wife, Elaine Holliman of Rockdale; a son, Steven Lane Holliman of Rockdale; three daughters, Cathryn McLendon and husband Frank of Murphy, Leslie Hasselbach and husband Brent of Rockdale, Julie Wallace and husband Danny of Georgetown; a brother, Harvey Lee Holliman and wife Jane of Rockdale; a sister, Mary Ann Fenske and husband Robert of Carrollton; and 10 grandchildren, Annie Grace Hasselbach, Elise Cathryn McLendon, Austin Charles Wallace, Doss Paul Hasselbach, Mitchell Dane McLendon, Abigail Elaine Wallace, Kayla Lee Wallace, Jake Leslie Hasselbach, Julia Elisabeth McLendon and Garrett Thomas Wallace.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Family Life Center, P.O. Box 109, Rockdale, TX 76567.
Obituaries of Friends of the Class of 1965
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RHS Class of 1964
Amon O'Neal Muston - Class of 1964
April 30, 1982
Rockdale Reporter May 6, 1982
Funeral services for Amon O'Neal Muston, 36, were held at 2:00 PM Sunday at the Phillips and Luckey Chapel with burial in the Minerva Cemetery. Rev Leonard Muston officiated.
Mr Muston died about 4:15 AM Friday in Scott and White Hospital in Temple. He had been a resident of College Station for the past 15 years.
He was born Feb 6, 1946 in Rockdale to Amon Muston and the late Robbie Dyer Muston, He was a self?employed contract roofer for the last 15 years.
He and Miss Beverly Jericho were married May 1, 1981.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Muston of Millican; one son, Amon Muston Jr of Cameron; his father, Amon Muston of Rockdale; four daughters, Amy Muston of Bryan, Abanda Muston of Bryan, Penny Muston of Cameron, and Vivian Muston of Cameron' one brother, Eddie Muston of Navasota; three sisters, Rosa Muston, Shirley Mokerski of Adroch, North Dakota, and Edna Muston of Rockdale.
Mr Muston was member of Hillcrest Park Baptist Church He was a member of the armed services in 1963 to 1966 during the Vietnam war.
Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home of Rockdale was in charge of arrangements.
April 30, 1982
Rockdale Reporter May 6, 1982
Funeral services for Amon O'Neal Muston, 36, were held at 2:00 PM Sunday at the Phillips and Luckey Chapel with burial in the Minerva Cemetery. Rev Leonard Muston officiated.
Mr Muston died about 4:15 AM Friday in Scott and White Hospital in Temple. He had been a resident of College Station for the past 15 years.
He was born Feb 6, 1946 in Rockdale to Amon Muston and the late Robbie Dyer Muston, He was a self?employed contract roofer for the last 15 years.
He and Miss Beverly Jericho were married May 1, 1981.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Muston of Millican; one son, Amon Muston Jr of Cameron; his father, Amon Muston of Rockdale; four daughters, Amy Muston of Bryan, Abanda Muston of Bryan, Penny Muston of Cameron, and Vivian Muston of Cameron' one brother, Eddie Muston of Navasota; three sisters, Rosa Muston, Shirley Mokerski of Adroch, North Dakota, and Edna Muston of Rockdale.
Mr Muston was member of Hillcrest Park Baptist Church He was a member of the armed services in 1963 to 1966 during the Vietnam war.
Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home of Rockdale was in charge of arrangements.
Manuel Garza - Class of 1964
March 7, 2005
Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 10 Mar 2005
Services for Manuel Garza, 59, of West Columbia will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rockdale with Rev. Edwin Kagoo officiating. Burial will be in Garza Cemetery near Rockdale.
Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia and 7 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home.
Mr. Garza died Monday, March 7, in West Columbia.
A self-employed welder, he was born Oct. 20, 1945, to Anastacio R. and Guadalupe (Reyes) Garza.
Mr. Garza was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Marines.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Garza.
Survivors are his wife, Lucinda Garza of West Columbia; a daughter, Audrey Dawn Morton and husband David; seven brothers, Juan “John” Garza and wife Esther of San Antonio, Cruz Garza and wife Regugia of Rockdale, Alfred Garza
of Rockdale, Jim Garza and wife Sharon of Mount Pleasant, Joseph Garza and wife Ruth of Austin, Arthur Garza and wife Sharon of Rockdale and Ruben Garza and wife Vickie of Rockdale; five sisters, Cecilia Garza of San Antonio,
Isabel Ortiz of Houston, Mary Helen Ortega of Rockdale, Josephine Garza of Austin, and Angie Grafe and husband
Stuart of Evergreen, Colorado.
Pallbearers will be Charles Cervantez, Ernest Garza, Freddie Garza, John Anthony Garza, Cruz Garza Jr. and Marcus Revilla.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Barrera, Lee Cloud, Donnie Foytik, Larry Geserick, Butch Gless, James Jacubec, Billy Menning, Jimmy Prihoda, Curtis Redding, Ellis Roundtree and Gary Wells.
March 7, 2005
Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 10 Mar 2005
Services for Manuel Garza, 59, of West Columbia will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rockdale with Rev. Edwin Kagoo officiating. Burial will be in Garza Cemetery near Rockdale.
Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia and 7 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home.
Mr. Garza died Monday, March 7, in West Columbia.
A self-employed welder, he was born Oct. 20, 1945, to Anastacio R. and Guadalupe (Reyes) Garza.
Mr. Garza was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Marines.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Garza.
Survivors are his wife, Lucinda Garza of West Columbia; a daughter, Audrey Dawn Morton and husband David; seven brothers, Juan “John” Garza and wife Esther of San Antonio, Cruz Garza and wife Regugia of Rockdale, Alfred Garza
of Rockdale, Jim Garza and wife Sharon of Mount Pleasant, Joseph Garza and wife Ruth of Austin, Arthur Garza and wife Sharon of Rockdale and Ruben Garza and wife Vickie of Rockdale; five sisters, Cecilia Garza of San Antonio,
Isabel Ortiz of Houston, Mary Helen Ortega of Rockdale, Josephine Garza of Austin, and Angie Grafe and husband
Stuart of Evergreen, Colorado.
Pallbearers will be Charles Cervantez, Ernest Garza, Freddie Garza, John Anthony Garza, Cruz Garza Jr. and Marcus Revilla.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Barrera, Lee Cloud, Donnie Foytik, Larry Geserick, Butch Gless, James Jacubec, Billy Menning, Jimmy Prihoda, Curtis Redding, Ellis Roundtree and Gary Wells.
Rockdale Reporter June 19, 1986
Two deaths caused by gas fumes Suffocation ruled in tragedy at well.
Accidental death due to inhalation of hydrocarbons has been ruled as the cause of death for two local area men whose bodies were found Friday morning in a fractioning tank at an oil well site.
John R. Praesel, 40, of Rockdale and Brian David Hanson, 28, of Lexington were found dead inside the tank in the oil well site on Praesel's property about 9 miles southeast of Rockdale. The well site is in Burleson County, approximately 1,000 feet outside the Milam County line (County Road 302).
The men had reportedly been missing since about 8:00 PM Thursday. Their bodies were discovered by an employee of Minerva Well Service of Rockdale at about 10:00 AM Friday. Members of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department recovered the bodies from the tank.
Justice of the Peace Earl Weiderhold of Deanville ordered autopsies which were performed in Austin by the Travis County Medical Examiners Department. Preliminary reports showed that the men died of asphyxia, and Judge Wiederhold ruled "accidental death by suffocation due to the inhalation of hydrocarbons and submission in a petroleum tank". Final laboratory reports from the autopsy are expected later this week.
Burleson County Sheriff Alfred Wilhelm said circumstances surrounding the deaths are "purely conjecture" but that he felt Praesel may have died attempting to rescue Hanson.
Hanson, who worked for the well service company and Praesel, who owned land on which the lease sat, apparently climbed atop the "frac tank" which is used for storage in oil fields. They may have been checking on the well's progress, Sheriff Wilhelm said.
A poisonous gas is often discharged from the hatch on top of frac tanks and the Sheriff speculated that Hanson may have gone into the tank or fallen into it, depending on when he was overcome by the fumes. "Mr Praesel might have seen him stricken, tried to rescue him, and was also overcome by the fumes," Wilhelm said.
Responding to the well site Friday were Milam County Game Warden David Green, Sheriff Leroy Broaddus and Deputy Sheriffs Charlie West and Thomas Harris., a Rockdale EMS unit, volunteer firemen from Rockdale and Black Jack, County Commissioner Gerald Vinton, and Justices of the Peace Wiederhold and John Sonntag.
Mr Praesel was a farmer and rancher in the Black Jack area and a lifetime director of the Rockdale FFA Alumni Association. He was a strong supporter of youth sports and agriculture-related activites. He and his wife, Bertie, owned and operated The Fashion Corner, a women's apparel firm in Rockdale. Their daughter, Tammy, a 1986 RHS graduate, was one of five local FFA students selected for a one-month agriculture exchange stay in Holland starting in mid-July.
Funeral services for Mr Praesel were held on Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church and services for Mr Hanson were held Monday at the Bell Street Church of Christ
Two deaths caused by gas fumes Suffocation ruled in tragedy at well.
Accidental death due to inhalation of hydrocarbons has been ruled as the cause of death for two local area men whose bodies were found Friday morning in a fractioning tank at an oil well site.
John R. Praesel, 40, of Rockdale and Brian David Hanson, 28, of Lexington were found dead inside the tank in the oil well site on Praesel's property about 9 miles southeast of Rockdale. The well site is in Burleson County, approximately 1,000 feet outside the Milam County line (County Road 302).
The men had reportedly been missing since about 8:00 PM Thursday. Their bodies were discovered by an employee of Minerva Well Service of Rockdale at about 10:00 AM Friday. Members of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department recovered the bodies from the tank.
Justice of the Peace Earl Weiderhold of Deanville ordered autopsies which were performed in Austin by the Travis County Medical Examiners Department. Preliminary reports showed that the men died of asphyxia, and Judge Wiederhold ruled "accidental death by suffocation due to the inhalation of hydrocarbons and submission in a petroleum tank". Final laboratory reports from the autopsy are expected later this week.
Burleson County Sheriff Alfred Wilhelm said circumstances surrounding the deaths are "purely conjecture" but that he felt Praesel may have died attempting to rescue Hanson.
Hanson, who worked for the well service company and Praesel, who owned land on which the lease sat, apparently climbed atop the "frac tank" which is used for storage in oil fields. They may have been checking on the well's progress, Sheriff Wilhelm said.
A poisonous gas is often discharged from the hatch on top of frac tanks and the Sheriff speculated that Hanson may have gone into the tank or fallen into it, depending on when he was overcome by the fumes. "Mr Praesel might have seen him stricken, tried to rescue him, and was also overcome by the fumes," Wilhelm said.
Responding to the well site Friday were Milam County Game Warden David Green, Sheriff Leroy Broaddus and Deputy Sheriffs Charlie West and Thomas Harris., a Rockdale EMS unit, volunteer firemen from Rockdale and Black Jack, County Commissioner Gerald Vinton, and Justices of the Peace Wiederhold and John Sonntag.
Mr Praesel was a farmer and rancher in the Black Jack area and a lifetime director of the Rockdale FFA Alumni Association. He was a strong supporter of youth sports and agriculture-related activites. He and his wife, Bertie, owned and operated The Fashion Corner, a women's apparel firm in Rockdale. Their daughter, Tammy, a 1986 RHS graduate, was one of five local FFA students selected for a one-month agriculture exchange stay in Holland starting in mid-July.
Funeral services for Mr Praesel were held on Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church and services for Mr Hanson were held Monday at the Bell Street Church of Christ
Gordon Carlisle Parker - Class of 1966
December 25, 1993 - Rockdale, TX
Funeral services for Gordon Parker, 48, were held at 2 P.M. Tuesday, Dec. 28 in Black Jack Baptist Church with burial in the Black Jack Cemetery.
Rev. Doug Springer of Rockdale Full Gospel Church officiated.
Mr. Parker died Saturday, Dec. 25, in Nashville Metro Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee. He had lived in Rockdale most of his life.
He was born Sept. 11, 1945 in Cameron to Mr. and Mrs. Irie Lee (Julia Nadine Burnett) Parker. He was a self-employed auto mechanic for most of his life.
Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his father, Irie Lee Parker, on Dec. 24, 1954.
Survivors include a son, James “Jim” Gordon Parker of Bryan; two daughters, Jeanie Willard and Kelly Tovar, both of Black Jack; his mother, Julia Nadine (Burnett) Boswell of Rockdale; a brother, Arthur Lee Parke of Houston; also three grandchildren, Logan Willard, Meghan Parker and Brittany Ison.
Pallbearers were James Ferguson, James Wise, James Doss, Frank McKee, Billy Caffey and Mike Simmons.
Phillips & Luckey - Rockdale
Rockdale Reporter, December 30, 1993
December 25, 1993 - Rockdale, TX
Funeral services for Gordon Parker, 48, were held at 2 P.M. Tuesday, Dec. 28 in Black Jack Baptist Church with burial in the Black Jack Cemetery.
Rev. Doug Springer of Rockdale Full Gospel Church officiated.
Mr. Parker died Saturday, Dec. 25, in Nashville Metro Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee. He had lived in Rockdale most of his life.
He was born Sept. 11, 1945 in Cameron to Mr. and Mrs. Irie Lee (Julia Nadine Burnett) Parker. He was a self-employed auto mechanic for most of his life.
Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his father, Irie Lee Parker, on Dec. 24, 1954.
Survivors include a son, James “Jim” Gordon Parker of Bryan; two daughters, Jeanie Willard and Kelly Tovar, both of Black Jack; his mother, Julia Nadine (Burnett) Boswell of Rockdale; a brother, Arthur Lee Parke of Houston; also three grandchildren, Logan Willard, Meghan Parker and Brittany Ison.
Pallbearers were James Ferguson, James Wise, James Doss, Frank McKee, Billy Caffey and Mike Simmons.
Phillips & Luckey - Rockdale
Rockdale Reporter, December 30, 1993
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