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- Obituary:
City Man Killed By Gas Pipe
John W. "Sonny" Neeld, 37, of Carlsbad, was apparently killed instantly Friday about 2:15 p.m. when he was struck in the back of the head by a piece of pipe blown from a natural gas "separator."
The accident occurred at the site of a natural gas operation three miles south of the Port of Entry and approximately 10 miles from Carlsbad.
Sheriff's deputy C.C. "Doc" West, who with other officers investigated the accident, said that he was told by men present that Neeld was standing at a control panel of a separator while "lighting" the machine.
West said there were three other men at the site, which is operated by Samdan Oil Corp. These men were employes of El Paso Natural Gas Co. while Neeld worked as part owner of the Marshall Morris Contract Pumping Service of Artesia.
West said that he was told that this was the first time the separators at the site were used. He was told that they are lighted and this basically causes the moisture in the gas to be vented away from the natural gas which flows into another line.
The piping for the venting system was described as going underground before it went to the atmosphere and the pipe apparently ruptured when the pressure hit, according to West's information. The part above the ground was the piping that went through the air, part of which apparently killed Neeld.
West emphasized Saturday that he had no "official" determination, however, on what caused the pipe to rupture and blow. Investigation continues.
Services for Neeld are scheduled Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, the Rev. Buster Reeves officiating.
Born in Lake Charles, La, Neeld attended high school in Morgan City, La., before his family moved to Lovington. He attended college in Louisiana and Eastern New Mexico University.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, AMAX softball team, Cub Master Pack 48, and a Little League baseball coach. He had lived in Carlsbad 20 years.
Survivors include the widow, Betty, of the home; four sons, John Kevin and James Derek of Carlsbad and Jerele Don and John Robert of Roswell; a daughter, Weslyn Janee of Carlsbad; parents Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Neeld of Lovington; a brother, J.R., of Bowie, Tex.; and a grandmother, Mrs. R.M. Benoit of Lake Charles, La.
Pall bearers are Adon Rodriguez, Marshall Morris, Moon Mullins, and Vernon Shoemake, Howard Scott and Jerry Aaron. AMAX softball team members will be honorary pall bearers.
(Published in The Carlsbad Current-Argus on August 31, 1975)
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1937 - 1975 (37 years)
: Address
: Location
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: County/Shire
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