Allen DeWitt Neighbors

Allen DeWitt Neighbors, 70, of Gonzales, passed away Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. He was born Sept. 2, 1946 in Biloxi, Miss., the son of Roger and Midge Nobles Neighbors. He was a member of the 1966 graduating class of Gonzales High School.

He married Laura Lee Pettus on Aug. 6, 1971 in Gonzales. Allen devoted most of his career to public service. He served with the U.S. Navy. He began as a volunteer firefighter and became a full-time firefighter. He worked as a jail administrator for the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, police dispatcher for Gonzales Police Department, Gonzales County Sheriff and was an EMT. He was Gonzales County fire marshal, state fire marshal and Caldwell County fire marshal.

Throughout his career he continually sought to gain knowledge by attending Texas Tech, University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Texas Lutheran University. With this education he obtained several degrees. He was a certified dive master, instructor and underwater photographer. He was a self taught golfer and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gonzales.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Lee Neighbors of Gonzales; daughter, Melodie Delane Watkins and husband John of Portersville, Calif.; sons, Michael Darren Neighbors of Converse, Matthew Daniel Neighbors and partner Andrea Hamlin of Lubbock, Marshal Daylan Neighbors of Gonzales, Macklan DeWitt Neighbors and partner Krys Caballero of Gonzales and Maxwell Denton Neighbors and wife Frankie of Gonzales; sister, Shari Mitchell and husband Chuck of Seguin; daughters-in-law, Terra Pack of Lubbock and Misha Wiggins of Converse; 9 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his special friend and companion, “Beethoven King Elvis”. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Private family memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Library Fund. Arrangements under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.