The Salt Lake Tribune March 26, 1974
Obituary of George Joseph Rhinesmith
Funeral services for George Joseph Rhinesmith, 30, 2501 Alden St.., who died March 24, 1974,
in a tanker truck explosion near Green River, Wyoming, will be Thursday, 11am Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church, 279 S. 300 West. Prayer service, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., 36 E. 7th
South, where friends call Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m. Burial Watch Lawn Memorial Park.
Born May 11, 1943, San Diego, to Joseph and Goldie Katris Rhinesmith. Married Shanna
Holdaway Hamblin, July 16, 1970, Reno, Nevada. Employee Apache Tank Lines. Member
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Survivors: widow; parents, Bountiful; son, daughter, Michael, Penny, both Granger; stepson,
stepdaughter, Michael Hamblin, Penny Hamblin, both Salt Lake City; sister, Elizabeth, Salt
Lake City.
Explosion Kills Oil Truck Driver
The state and federal mine inspector's offices, Wyoming's fire Marshal and the
county coroner's office as well as Allied Chemical officials, have been investigating
the explosion death of George Joseph Rhinesmith, 30, of Salt Lake City at the oil
storage pump house at Allied 11:07 p.m. Sunday.
Also being investigated is the gasoline content of the crude oil being unloaded for
use of Allied in its plant operations at the time of the explosion. County Coroner,
Peter Vase said that apparently the oil contained 57% gasoline, which would be
sufficient for an explosive condition.
The explosion and fire also called the Green River Volunteer Fire Department and its
foam equipment to the scene, but upon arrival, they were placed on a protective and
standby alert. This was the second run to Allied within two nights, they having
Saturday night been called when a 6,000 gallon oil tanker overturned in the area. No
Fire occurred , but the department used its foam equipment to prevent fire.
Rhinesmith, a driver for Cowboy Oil, had picked up a load of oil at Big Piney and
brought it to Allied. He was unloading at the oil at the oil storagew pumphouse
when the explosion occurred, claiming his life. Allied officials have issued no public
statement.
The oil is used as standby fuel when natural gas and other fuels are not fully available
to operate the soda ash plants.
From the newspaper The Green River Star March 27, 1974, Green River, Wyoming