David Bryan Harwell, Sr.

David Bryan Harwell Sr. died Saturday, February 1st, at the age of 91.  Bryan was living in Weatherford, Texas at the time of his death. 
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, Bryan earned the Purple Heart for a wound received in his arm on the battlefield during the liberation of France.  Although he was partially disabled the remainder of his life, Bryan never complained or expressed regret for his service. 
Bryan graduated Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where his father (“Uncle Jimmy”) taught Mathematics.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science at Centenary College of Louisiana, and he earned his Master of Science at Tulane University in New Orleans. 
Bryan made Gwyn Harwell a June bride while they were in school, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2006.  Together, they built a clinical laboratory in Longview, Texas, where Gwyn was Pathologist and Bryan ran the laboratory operations.   While in Longview, Bryan was very active in civic organizations, including President of the East Texas Fine Arts Association, President of the Spring Arts Festival, and President of the Kiwanis Club.
Later in life, they moved to the Dallas area where Bryan started a second career as owner of an art gallery – his true life’s passion.  An award winning photographer and art collector throughout his life, Bryan loved the beauty of art in all forms. 
Gwyn preceded Bryan in death.  He spent the remaining years in a cloud from Alzheimer’s disease, and could be found always waiting for his “lady”.  He has now joined her in Heaven.  Bryan was a loving and cheerful son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend throughout his life.  He is survived by four sons: David, John (wife Jean), Jack (wife Bridget), and Tim (wife Shari), four grandchildren: Kendall, Jackson, Killian, and Emily, and his brother Clifton. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Forney, Texas; where he and Gwyn were active members.  The family invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship after the service at the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church.  Bryan’s final resting place will be next to Gwyn’s in the Harwell’s family plot in Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, LA, at a later date.