McNiel

Mr. McNiel

Sam McNiel, 79, died Tuesday Nov. 22, 2022, in Austin.

Graveside services were held at Forest Grove Cemetery on Tuesday Nov. 29.

Mr. McNiel was born in Rockdale on June 20, 1943, to James Larkin McNiel and Elva Mae (Ellis) McNiel.

He was the father to Shawn McNiel. He had one brother, James Larkin McNiel Jr and one sister, Peggy Joyce Nicar.

Mr. McNiel was a loving father, son, brother and uncle. He was a dedicated nurse and a proud patriot.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1960, when he was 17 years old. He served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War. He also served in Cuba and Guam. He served on several cruisers and a helicopter troop landing ship. During his career he received numerous medals, badges and ribbons. Mr. McNiel retired from the Navy in 1981 as a senior chief petty officer.

After the Navy, he continued his career in medicine. He worked as a nurse in Ventura, California, before returning to Rockdale to take care of his elderly father.

He continued his medical career in Rockdale, working at Richards Memorial Hospital as an emergency room nurse, as well as at Alcoa in the medical department.

At Richards, he was able to get the hospital its first Trauma Designation from the State of Texas and worked to maintain the Trauma Registry and trained staff as well.

At Alcoa he was a member of the medical team but also instrumental in developing the computer program to follow the metrics of the entire facility and keep medical records for the staff. He retired for the second time in 2000.

Mr. McNiel was preceded in death by his parents, James Larkin and Elva Mae McNiel, brother James Larkin McNiel Jr. and sister Peggy Joyce McNiel Nicar.

Survivors are his son, Shawn McNiel and his daughter- in-law Barbara; also, three step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.