In 2009, his crew drilled a 7-mile-deep well in the Tiber Oil Field off Louisiana, still the deepest offshore oil well ever. Harrell had a distinctive, bushy mustache and matter-of-fact manner. Harrell, who worked for rig owner. Jimmy's Obituary. May 12, 2021 - 6:30 pm Jimmy Harrell, the man in charge of drilling on the Deepwater Horizon when the mobile rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico 11 years ago, has died at his home in Morton,. Harrell, who worked for rig owner Transocean . The pay cut he accepted created enough cap space to sign his former teammates and friends, P.J. He retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years. Several Grandchildren, Step Grandchildren, also Great Grandchildren and a Step Great Grandchildren, Brother: Horace Harrell Jr. and wife Johnna, Sister: Rhonda Sheridan and Tim, Judy Rhea and Mike, Stepsons: Brent Beeler and wife April, Shannon Beeler and wife Amy, Malcolm Beeler and wife Missy, and Dustin B. Keelen. on Fri. Feb, 3, 2023 from. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. The family will receive friends Monday, February 20, 2023 from 5PM until 7PM in the Claiborne Overholt Funeral Home Chapel with funeral services to follow at 7PM. James Lloyd Harrell was born August 26, 1931 in Oak Grove, LA to Mary Elizabeth and Lloyd Franklin Harrell. Harrell was a key Transocean supervisor on the rig leased by BP. James was preceded in death by his wife Julia Harrell, (Parents) Ulysee and Annie Harrell (One sister), Sara Thomas , (Two brothers), Johnny . James A. Services Guestbook Condolences. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Ive never had a finer client [whom] Ive been more proud to represent than Jimmy Harrell, said Fanning, who has been practicing law for 48 years. Mary Lucille Carson Harrell was born on November 13, 1924 to Arthur James and Pearl Lucille Carson. After retiring from the Sheriffs Office, Jamie loved being surrounded by family, playing cards and having breakfast or lunch with all his dear friends and family. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Visitation will be at Beech Grove Baptist Church, 8159 La 961, Clinton, La. Some crew members testified Harrell was so exasperated after a meeting with BP bosses on the rig that he suggested a last-ditch piece of equipment called the blowout preventer would likely be needed to pinch the well closed and block oil and gas from shooting out. He rose to the rank of Captain and became a pillar of the Douglasville community. He went to be with the Lord February 17th, 2023 at his home with his loving family by his side, after 9 months of fighting cancer. or Jay) age 73, born August 10th 1949, of Washburn Tennessee. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. It also said fiberglass was embedded in Harrell's skin following the explosion, and that he suffered health problems for years after inhaling the smoke and gas from the blast. On Friday, January 13th, 2023, James Franklin Harrell, a beloved husband, father, and best friend to everyone, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends. Arrangements by: Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, Douglasville, GA 30134, 770-942-4246. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. The other was acquitted. Harrell testified he was in the shower when the rig exploded, unaware his crew was having trouble. Monday, February 20, 2023 from 5PM until 7PM in the Claiborne Overholt Funeral Home Chapel with funeral services to follow at 7PM. Harrells attorney, Pat Fanning, said Harrell, too, threatened to go home if BP didnt take the time to ensure the well was properly sealed. passed away peacefully on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas with his devoted wife, Joan at his bedside. // ]]>. Investigations indicated Harrell had been unhappy with the oil giants plans for shutting down the rig. Harrell, who worked for rig owner Transocean, died Monday, according to Wolf Funeral Home in Morton, Mississippi. Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023. The Deepwater Horizon oil rig burns April 21, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico more than 50 miles southeast of Venice. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. You have permission to edit this article. Essay wins Peabody's football program money to revamp facilities, LCU to offer new financial literacy course using biblical approach, LSU baseball analytics: How Tigers' pitchers improved with tech, 4-star, Class of 2025 CB Jaylen Bell commits to LSU football, LSU baseball analytics: Wes Johnson's impact on Tigers' pitchers, LSU baseball analytics: What technology and data the Tigers use, Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder considering governor's race, In Louisiana, a lucky crawfish saved from boil in unique Lent tradition, Ferriday museum preserves musical legacy of Delta region performers. He went to school at Ouachita High School in Monroe, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his father; Jimmy Harrell Howard, Sr., stepfather; Eustis Austin and twin grandbabies. Harrell, a supervisor on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, has died at age 65. If you dont, theyre going to charge you with 11 counts of manslaughter and gross negligence, Fanning told the TV station. He had battled cancer for a year. Mr. James Willis Harrell also known as (J.W. Several crew members testified that Harrell had a skirmish with BP officials in the days leading up to the explosion because he didnt think their drilling plan included enough tests to ensure the well would be properly sealed against oil and gas intrusion the very danger that wound up causing the blowout. He prayed over the weekend and said, I cant do it. How will SCOTUS ruling on student loan debt impact Louisiana? I cant plead guilty and say I did something I didnt do.. MORTON, Miss. (AP) Jimmy Harrell, a supervisor on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, has died at age 65. If you dont, theyre going to charge you with 11 counts of manslaughter and gross negligence, Fanning told the TV station. Harrell testified May 26, 2010, at federal investigative hearings in Kenner that he didnt recall whether he had said that or not. He passed away on March 7, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 73. At his insistence, a key pressure test that had not been originally scheduled was run. What's next in the effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell? Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Funeral services were held Wednesday in Morton. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. "Jimmy" Harrell, Jr., 82, of 166 Ocean Boulevard, Southern Shores, NC passed away peacefully at his residence Wednesday night, February 20, 2019. The Rev. Harrell's attorney, Pat Fanning, told WWL-TV that federal prosecutors tried to persuade Harrell to admit some criminal negligence and, as part of a plea deal, testify against two BP rig bosses. Eleven workers died in the explosion and 134 million gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf, fouling beaches from Louisiana to Florida, killing hundreds of thousands of marine animals and devastating the regions tourist economy. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application. The explosion and loss of his employees and friends and the inferno that subsequently sunk the rig took a massive toll on his psyche, it said. Mr. I cant plead guilty and say I did something I didnt do.. Eleven crew members who worked under Harrells command were killed after oil and gas shot out of the miles-long well they had just finished drilling into the sea floor, up a mile-long pipe connected to the rig and set off huge explosions. Harrell had been fighting cancer, Fanning said. Obituary Mr. James L. "Jimmy" Harrell Lecompte - Funeral Services for Mr. James L. "Jimmy" Harrell will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 19th, 2022 in the Chapel of Hixson. A very loved and best friend His dog Pepper plus many more. Those who wish to express condolences or share a special memory may do so online at www.whitleygarner.com or Jay) age 73, born August 10th 1949, of Washburn Tennessee. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. During a May 2010 government hearing he acknowledged disagreements but denied reports that there were heated debates. A federal judge eventually said that BP ultimately was responsible for the misinterpreted results, one of the factors resulting in a ruling that BP was grossly negligent and bore most of the responsibility for the disaster. When he wasnt battling heavy bouts of PTSD, he found comfort in his favorite pastimes: hunting and fishing and simply being outdoors.. Greg Hurst and Rev. //