Clyde Elton Harwell, Jr.

Clyde Elton Harwell, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and man of steadfast faith, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the loving presence of his family. Known to all who cherished him as “Elton,” he was born on October 23, 1934, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Clyde Elton Harwell and Evelyn Harwell (née Nichols). A proud resident of Fort Worth and a long-time resident of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Elton lived a life defined by integrity, devotion, love of country and an enduring commitment to excellence.

Elton’s academic achievements were the beginning of a distinguished life that lay ahead. He graduated cum laude from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth in 1951 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (formerly Arlington State University) in 1967 — a milestone he pursued with characteristic determination while raising a family and serving his country.

A proud and devoted patriot, Elton’s love of country was not merely a sentiment — it was a calling he answered with action. Elton enlisted in the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard in 1953. Upon graduating at the top of his class from Officer Candidate School and achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant, he answered the call of duty when his unit was mobilized in 1961 during the Cold War. He served on active duty with the United States Army, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was honorably discharged in 1964 and returned to serve once more with the National Guard.

In recognition of his outstanding civic contributions, Elton was honored in 1970 with recognition as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America, a distinction made possible through the recommendation of then-United States Representative Jim Wright of Fort Worth — a testament to the esteem in which Elton was held by his community and its leaders.

Elton’s professional career was as varied as it was accomplished. He began in engineering at Bell Helicopter (now Bell Textron), where he served for ten years, before continuing his engineering work at Anadite in Fort Worth. Following the family’s move to Dallas in 1971, he discovered his true professional calling in commercial real estate. He served with the Trammell Crow Company at the Dallas Market Center and World Trade Center, followed by a distinguished tenure as a top producer in the commercial division of Henry S. Miller Realtors. He later brought his considerable expertise to Foster Financial Group in Dallas, where he organized and led their commercial real estate services. It was in the real estate field that Elton became most widely known and respected.

Above all earthly pursuits, Elton’s greatest joy was his family. On a fateful day in 1951, he met the love of his life, Barbara Rogers, on a blind date. The two were married on April 16, 1954, and their union — spanning 72 remarkable years — stood as an enduring testament to love, loyalty, and partnership. Together, they built a home and a legacy of which any family would be proud.

Elton is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Harwell (née Rogers); his son, Clyde Elton Harwell III (“Skipper”) and his wife Bonnie (née Finch); his son Jeffrey Daniel Harwell; his daughter, Kimberlynn Harwell Kaspar (“Kim”) and her husband Mark; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Elton Harwell Sr. and Evelyn Harwell (née Nichols).

A devout Christian, Elton’s faith was the cornerstone of his daily life. He began each day in Scripture, drawing strength and guidance from God’s Word, and he shared his faith freely and joyfully with all those around him. Throughout his life he was actively involved in the Disciples of Christ church, where he served as a deacon and devoted himself to the ministry and life of his congregation. Perhaps the greatest gift Elton bestowed upon his family was not any worldly accomplishment, but the living example of his faith — a treasure he shared openly and generously, and a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who carry his name.

Elton possessed a love of life that was evident in his many pursuits. An avid golfer and tennis player, he also carried a lifelong passion for running. He competed in the Dallas Turkey Trot for many years, with his last participation coming in 2020 at the age of 85, and he continued to jog the neighborhoods where he lived until the remarkable age of 90 — a reflection of the discipline and vitality that characterized everything he did. Beyond his athletic endeavors, Elton was deeply passionate about family history and photography. He devoted countless hours to researching and meticulously documenting his family through both photography and extensive genealogy, leaving future generations an invaluable gift: the story of where they came from and the people who shaped them.

In 2013, Elton and Barbara made their home in Georgia, where they continued to be surrounded by family and the warmth of a life well lived.

A private memorial service will be held for family at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas, where Elton will be laid to rest in peace, followed by a celebration of life for family and friends. If you would like to share a memory of Elton, please do so on the memorial page of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Athens, Ga. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.T2T.org in the name of Elton Harwell (if you choose to send a notification to the recipient in the T2T website, please send to Barbaraharwell9@gmail.com).

Of all the gifts Elton gave to those he loved — his time, his wisdom, his tireless example, and his deep and abiding love of country — none was more precious than the faith he so willingly shared. It was the light by which he lived, and the inheritance he leaves behind for every life he touched.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23