Claud (Peanut) Rodawalt, a Stinnett resident and owner of the Panhandle Pump Co., drowned moments after daylight today at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina at Lake Meredith.
The body of the 32-year-old man was brought to the surface above 43-foot deep waters about 7:30 a.m. today by a Pinckney Construction Co. diver, Dave Lowe, who temporarily resides in Fritch.
Roadwalt perished apparently about 5:20 a.m. while he "was trying to put down a canvas top on his boat," docked at the marina.
Sheriff Hugh Anderson said today the victim "went straight down into the water without a struggle." He fell between his boat and the dock, and officers speculated that he could have accidentally struck his head against something during the fall.
The body was recovered about 7:30 a.m., said National Park Service Chief Range Hugh Beattie. Recovery operations went smoothly, he added, noting that Lowe went down into the lake at approximately 7:20 a.m.
Five companions, who had accompanied Rodawalt on an overnight outing at the lake, were nearby when the tragedy occurred, said the sheriff, but apparently were unable to assist the victim.
The five were: Jim Hopper, 26, of Stinnett; Dave Immel, 19, Borger; James Striplin, 20, Borger; Wayne Mahon, 24, Stinnett; and Bob Gorley, Tucson, Ariz.
National Park Service personnel reported the group of men arrived at the lake during the late afternoon Wednesday, and took a boat ride about 1:30 a.m. today. The apparently returned to the marina about 3 a.m.
Two of the companions were asleep nearby when Rodawalt toppled into the water suddenly, authorities said.
Justice of the Peace Sam Watson this morning ordered an autopsy, when the body was brought to North Plains Hospital. Sheriff Anderson said no foul play was involved, and continued an investigation into the drowning.
The sheriff also said he did not believe that the deceased was an accomplished swimmer, and that Rodawalt was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his death.
"He apparently went down between the boat and the dock," remarked Beattie, and I doubt whether he actually slipped on the dock and fell."
Sheriff Anderson said one of the companions hurried to a telephone shortly after Rodawalt disappeared under the waters, and notified Borger Police, who then summoned other officers.
Apparently, the victim's companions were not sure of events surrounding the death. None was available for comment early today. "It must all have happened pretty fast," said one officer.
Today's drowning death was the fifth of a two-year period at Lake Meredith, officers noted. A sixth man has died there in another mishap.
Rodawalt had been a resident of the Panhandle area for the past 17 years, and his home was in Hodges Hills, Stinnett. He also was a member of the First Methodist Church of Borger, and the Borger BPO Elks Lodge 1581.
Funeral services are pending.
Ed Brown and Sons are in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include; his wife, Freida, and four daughters, Kathy, Debbie, Lisa and Teresa, all of the home; his mother Mrs. Edna Blair of Borger; three brothers, Edgar Blair of Borger, George and Jack Blair, both of Midland; and four sisters, Mrs. H.E. Tarver of Borger, Mrs. H.C. Little, Jr., of Sweetwater, Mrs. Bill Taylor of Pampa, and Mrs. Donald Smith of Perryton.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 8 1967)
Funeral services for Claud Ray Rodawalt, 32-year-old Stinnett businessman who apparently drowned early Thursday, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church of Borger, with Dr. Hubert Thomson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Freeman Burns, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stinnett.
Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Ed Brown & Sons Funeral Directors.
Pallbearers will be Charles Vaughn, Don Smith, Curtis Marable, Melvin Eldridge, Jim Thorman and Larry Dawson.
Results of an autoopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Sam Watson, were not available, but authorities said a ruling of accidental death is expected.
Rodawalt died about 5:20 a.m. Thursday, when he fell into 43-foot waters at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina while attempting to batten down a canvas top on a docked boat.
The tragedy occurred just after he and five companions returned from a night's boat outing at Lake Meredith, officers said.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 9, 1967)
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
Name: Claud Ray Rodawalt
Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1935
Gender: Male
Birth County: Wichita
Father's name: C L Rodawalt
Mother's name: Edna Glenn
Roll Number: 1935_0007
The body of the 32-year-old man was brought to the surface above 43-foot deep waters about 7:30 a.m. today by a Pinckney Construction Co. diver, Dave Lowe, who temporarily resides in Fritch.
Roadwalt perished apparently about 5:20 a.m. while he "was trying to put down a canvas top on his boat," docked at the marina.
Sheriff Hugh Anderson said today the victim "went straight down into the water without a struggle." He fell between his boat and the dock, and officers speculated that he could have accidentally struck his head against something during the fall.
The body was recovered about 7:30 a.m., said National Park Service Chief Range Hugh Beattie. Recovery operations went smoothly, he added, noting that Lowe went down into the lake at approximately 7:20 a.m.
Five companions, who had accompanied Rodawalt on an overnight outing at the lake, were nearby when the tragedy occurred, said the sheriff, but apparently were unable to assist the victim.
The five were: Jim Hopper, 26, of Stinnett; Dave Immel, 19, Borger; James Striplin, 20, Borger; Wayne Mahon, 24, Stinnett; and Bob Gorley, Tucson, Ariz.
National Park Service personnel reported the group of men arrived at the lake during the late afternoon Wednesday, and took a boat ride about 1:30 a.m. today. The apparently returned to the marina about 3 a.m.
Two of the companions were asleep nearby when Rodawalt toppled into the water suddenly, authorities said.
Justice of the Peace Sam Watson this morning ordered an autopsy, when the body was brought to North Plains Hospital. Sheriff Anderson said no foul play was involved, and continued an investigation into the drowning.
The sheriff also said he did not believe that the deceased was an accomplished swimmer, and that Rodawalt was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his death.
"He apparently went down between the boat and the dock," remarked Beattie, and I doubt whether he actually slipped on the dock and fell."
Sheriff Anderson said one of the companions hurried to a telephone shortly after Rodawalt disappeared under the waters, and notified Borger Police, who then summoned other officers.
Apparently, the victim's companions were not sure of events surrounding the death. None was available for comment early today. "It must all have happened pretty fast," said one officer.
Today's drowning death was the fifth of a two-year period at Lake Meredith, officers noted. A sixth man has died there in another mishap.
Rodawalt had been a resident of the Panhandle area for the past 17 years, and his home was in Hodges Hills, Stinnett. He also was a member of the First Methodist Church of Borger, and the Borger BPO Elks Lodge 1581.
Funeral services are pending.
Ed Brown and Sons are in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include; his wife, Freida, and four daughters, Kathy, Debbie, Lisa and Teresa, all of the home; his mother Mrs. Edna Blair of Borger; three brothers, Edgar Blair of Borger, George and Jack Blair, both of Midland; and four sisters, Mrs. H.E. Tarver of Borger, Mrs. H.C. Little, Jr., of Sweetwater, Mrs. Bill Taylor of Pampa, and Mrs. Donald Smith of Perryton.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 8 1967)
Funeral services for Claud Ray Rodawalt, 32-year-old Stinnett businessman who apparently drowned early Thursday, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church of Borger, with Dr. Hubert Thomson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Freeman Burns, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stinnett.
Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Ed Brown & Sons Funeral Directors.
Pallbearers will be Charles Vaughn, Don Smith, Curtis Marable, Melvin Eldridge, Jim Thorman and Larry Dawson.
Results of an autoopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Sam Watson, were not available, but authorities said a ruling of accidental death is expected.
Rodawalt died about 5:20 a.m. Thursday, when he fell into 43-foot waters at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina while attempting to batten down a canvas top on a docked boat.
The tragedy occurred just after he and five companions returned from a night's boat outing at Lake Meredith, officers said.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 9, 1967)
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
Name: Claud Ray Rodawalt
Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1935
Gender: Male
Birth County: Wichita
Father's name: C L Rodawalt
Mother's name: Edna Glenn
Roll Number: 1935_0007
Claud (Peanut) Rodawalt, a Stinnett resident and owner of the Panhandle Pump Co., drowned moments after daylight today at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina at Lake Meredith.
The body of the 32-year-old man was brought to the surface above 43-foot deep waters about 7:30 a.m. today by a Pinckney Construction Co. diver, Dave Lowe, who temporarily resides in Fritch.
Roadwalt perished apparently about 5:20 a.m. while he "was trying to put down a canvas top on his boat," docked at the marina.
Sheriff Hugh Anderson said today the victim "went straight down into the water without a struggle." He fell between his boat and the dock, and officers speculated that he could have accidentally struck his head against something during the fall.
The body was recovered about 7:30 a.m., said National Park Service Chief Range Hugh Beattie. Recovery operations went smoothly, he added, noting that Lowe went down into the lake at approximately 7:20 a.m.
Five companions, who had accompanied Rodawalt on an overnight outing at the lake, were nearby when the tragedy occurred, said the sheriff, but apparently were unable to assist the victim.
The five were: Jim Hopper, 26, of Stinnett; Dave Immel, 19, Borger; James Striplin, 20, Borger; Wayne Mahon, 24, Stinnett; and Bob Gorley, Tucson, Ariz.
National Park Service personnel reported the group of men arrived at the lake during the late afternoon Wednesday, and took a boat ride about 1:30 a.m. today. The apparently returned to the marina about 3 a.m.
Two of the companions were asleep nearby when Rodawalt toppled into the water suddenly, authorities said.
Justice of the Peace Sam Watson this morning ordered an autopsy, when the body was brought to North Plains Hospital. Sheriff Anderson said no foul play was involved, and continued an investigation into the drowning.
The sheriff also said he did not believe that the deceased was an accomplished swimmer, and that Rodawalt was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his death.
"He apparently went down between the boat and the dock," remarked Beattie, and I doubt whether he actually slipped on the dock and fell."
Sheriff Anderson said one of the companions hurried to a telephone shortly after Rodawalt disappeared under the waters, and notified Borger Police, who then summoned other officers.
Apparently, the victim's companions were not sure of events surrounding the death. None was available for comment early today. "It must all have happened pretty fast," said one officer.
Today's drowning death was the fifth of a two-year period at Lake Meredith, officers noted. A sixth man has died there in another mishap.
Rodawalt had been a resident of the Panhandle area for the past 17 years, and his home was in Hodges Hills, Stinnett. He also was a member of the First Methodist Church of Borger, and the Borger BPO Elks Lodge 1581.
Funeral services are pending.
Ed Brown and Sons are in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include; his wife, Freida, and four daughters, Kathy, Debbie, Lisa and Teresa, all of the home; his mother Mrs. Edna Blair of Borger; three brothers, Edgar Blair of Borger, George and Jack Blair, both of Midland; and four sisters, Mrs. H.E. Tarver of Borger, Mrs. H.C. Little, Jr., of Sweetwater, Mrs. Bill Taylor of Pampa, and Mrs. Donald Smith of Perryton.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 8 1967)
Funeral services for Claud Ray Rodawalt, 32-year-old Stinnett businessman who apparently drowned early Thursday, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church of Borger, with Dr. Hubert Thomson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Freeman Burns, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stinnett.
Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Ed Brown & Sons Funeral Directors.
Pallbearers will be Charles Vaughn, Don Smith, Curtis Marable, Melvin Eldridge, Jim Thorman and Larry Dawson.
Results of an autoopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Sam Watson, were not available, but authorities said a ruling of accidental death is expected.
Rodawalt died about 5:20 a.m. Thursday, when he fell into 43-foot waters at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina while attempting to batten down a canvas top on a docked boat.
The tragedy occurred just after he and five companions returned from a night's boat outing at Lake Meredith, officers said.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 9, 1967)
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
Name: Claud Ray Rodawalt
Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1935
Gender: Male
Birth County: Wichita
Father's name: C L Rodawalt
Mother's name: Edna Glenn
Roll Number: 1935_0007
The body of the 32-year-old man was brought to the surface above 43-foot deep waters about 7:30 a.m. today by a Pinckney Construction Co. diver, Dave Lowe, who temporarily resides in Fritch.
Roadwalt perished apparently about 5:20 a.m. while he "was trying to put down a canvas top on his boat," docked at the marina.
Sheriff Hugh Anderson said today the victim "went straight down into the water without a struggle." He fell between his boat and the dock, and officers speculated that he could have accidentally struck his head against something during the fall.
The body was recovered about 7:30 a.m., said National Park Service Chief Range Hugh Beattie. Recovery operations went smoothly, he added, noting that Lowe went down into the lake at approximately 7:20 a.m.
Five companions, who had accompanied Rodawalt on an overnight outing at the lake, were nearby when the tragedy occurred, said the sheriff, but apparently were unable to assist the victim.
The five were: Jim Hopper, 26, of Stinnett; Dave Immel, 19, Borger; James Striplin, 20, Borger; Wayne Mahon, 24, Stinnett; and Bob Gorley, Tucson, Ariz.
National Park Service personnel reported the group of men arrived at the lake during the late afternoon Wednesday, and took a boat ride about 1:30 a.m. today. The apparently returned to the marina about 3 a.m.
Two of the companions were asleep nearby when Rodawalt toppled into the water suddenly, authorities said.
Justice of the Peace Sam Watson this morning ordered an autopsy, when the body was brought to North Plains Hospital. Sheriff Anderson said no foul play was involved, and continued an investigation into the drowning.
The sheriff also said he did not believe that the deceased was an accomplished swimmer, and that Rodawalt was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his death.
"He apparently went down between the boat and the dock," remarked Beattie, and I doubt whether he actually slipped on the dock and fell."
Sheriff Anderson said one of the companions hurried to a telephone shortly after Rodawalt disappeared under the waters, and notified Borger Police, who then summoned other officers.
Apparently, the victim's companions were not sure of events surrounding the death. None was available for comment early today. "It must all have happened pretty fast," said one officer.
Today's drowning death was the fifth of a two-year period at Lake Meredith, officers noted. A sixth man has died there in another mishap.
Rodawalt had been a resident of the Panhandle area for the past 17 years, and his home was in Hodges Hills, Stinnett. He also was a member of the First Methodist Church of Borger, and the Borger BPO Elks Lodge 1581.
Funeral services are pending.
Ed Brown and Sons are in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include; his wife, Freida, and four daughters, Kathy, Debbie, Lisa and Teresa, all of the home; his mother Mrs. Edna Blair of Borger; three brothers, Edgar Blair of Borger, George and Jack Blair, both of Midland; and four sisters, Mrs. H.E. Tarver of Borger, Mrs. H.C. Little, Jr., of Sweetwater, Mrs. Bill Taylor of Pampa, and Mrs. Donald Smith of Perryton.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 8 1967)
Funeral services for Claud Ray Rodawalt, 32-year-old Stinnett businessman who apparently drowned early Thursday, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church of Borger, with Dr. Hubert Thomson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Freeman Burns, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stinnett.
Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Ed Brown & Sons Funeral Directors.
Pallbearers will be Charles Vaughn, Don Smith, Curtis Marable, Melvin Eldridge, Jim Thorman and Larry Dawson.
Results of an autoopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Sam Watson, were not available, but authorities said a ruling of accidental death is expected.
Rodawalt died about 5:20 a.m. Thursday, when he fell into 43-foot waters at the new Sanford-Yake boat marina while attempting to batten down a canvas top on a docked boat.
The tragedy occurred just after he and five companions returned from a night's boat outing at Lake Meredith, officers said.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 9, 1967)
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
Name: Claud Ray Rodawalt
Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1935
Gender: Male
Birth County: Wichita
Father's name: C L Rodawalt
Mother's name: Edna Glenn
Roll Number: 1935_0007
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