John Rowland: 35-year-old was a graduate of Butler High and the father of two young children. SPECIAL

Members of the on-site brigade were the first personnel to respond to the 2:45 a.m. explosion in an area of the plant where Mr. Rowland, 35, was working with six other men. They performed CPR on him before he was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital by ambulance.

He later died of massive trauma.

Mr. Rowland was one of three who died in the explosion; three others in the unit were not injured. The other two men who died, Heinrich ``Heins'' Kohl, 25, and George Sanders, 42, were killed instantly.

Officials had not released the cause of the explosion by Tuesday evening.

Mr. Rowland is survived by his wife, Tonya Lyn; a son, 4, and a daughter, 19 months; and his mother, Saralyn Rowland. He also is survived by two brothers, Glenn and Stephen Rowland, and several nieces and nephews.

``He was a tremendous family man, dedicated to his wife and two kids,'' Glenn Rowland said.

BP Amoco notified Mr. Rowland's family of the accident early Tuesday morning by telephone.

Mr. Rowland was a lifelong resident of Augusta and graduated from Butler High School in 1983.

He worked at International Paper for 13 years before he took a job as an operator at BP Amoco in July. Employees of both companies will serve as honorary pallbearers at the funeral, to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Open Door Baptist Church.

The Rev. Monty Guice and minister Roger McKenzie will officiate.

He was a member of Southgate Baptist Church and regularly volunteered in civic events while employed at International Paper.

The family will receive friends at the Rowland residence from 7-9 p.m. today.

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.