Gary M. Harwell

Gary Martin Harwell, born on May 2, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas, passed away in Houston, Texas, on July 14, 2026, at the age of 76, as a 4th generation Texan. He was the fourth child, growing up with three older sisters and one younger sister. His family was active in St. Leo's Catholic Church, where Gary served as an altar boy. He attended LaSalle High School, a Catholic all-boys school run by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Although his family encouraged him to follow the priesthood, he chose a life as a veterinarian, healing and nurturing animals, from a pet hamster to a zoo elephant.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Lamm Harwell Ebert; his father, Robert Felton Harwell; his stepfather, Frank Ebert; and his sister, Barbara Frazier. Gary is survived by his wife of 26 years, Moni' E. Harwell; his son Travis Felton Harwell and wife Allison; grandchildren Natalie Elizabeth Harwell and Owen Jackson Harwell; stepchildren James Lee, Joshua Lee, and Jonathan Lee and his wife Krystal Lee; step-grandchildren Rose, Violet, and Jax; and his sisters Elaine Ballard, Carol Senna, and Kathleen Sparks and her husband Chuck, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and cousins, as well as Gary's beloved pup, Pecos.

Gary's love of nature and science started at an early age as he explored his San Antonio neighborhood, catching Texas horned lizards and even keeping a pet javelina. To encourage his interests in the sciences, his parents gifted him an Atomic Lab science kit, which contained a slight amount of radioactive material for at-home science experiments, prompting a visit from the authorities due to concerned neighbors.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He maintained his love and support of scouting throughout his life, mentoring young students and scouts.

Gary was a true outdoorsman from a young age. His father taught him to hunt and camp, instilling an interest in nature and wilderness, and helping him develop a "green thumb." During those hunting trips, Gary developed a deep appreciation for Texas history and the Indigenous tribes who once inhabited the area. He enjoyed searching for and collecting arrowheads and minerals, sparking a lifelong passion for archeology, mineral collecting, and history.

Gary graduated from Texas A&M University, first earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Science in 1972 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. He was hired as Veterinarian of the Houston Zoological Gardens before he'd even finished his degree, beginning his career there immediately after graduation. His first days on the job were quite eventful — he had to capture a wild bear that appeared in a Houston suburb. He was able to tranquilize it and bring it back to the zoo – in the back of a sheriff's patrol car. This was just the beginning of his zoo career in exotic animal medicine — one that would prove adventurous at times. As a zoo veterinarian with extensive knowledge of wildlife biology, Gary had a deep understanding of the many species under his care. When he first arrived at the Houston Zoo, the veterinary clinic was a very small building dubbed the "chicken shack" by zoo staff. Although Gary and his excellent veterinary technicians made it work, it was clear that a new clinic was urgently needed. Plans were soon in the works, and within a few years, the zoo's support organizations raised funds, ground was broken, and construction started on the new state-of-the-art clinic. Gary and the team designed a modern clinic, contributing to the growth of the world-class zoo veterinary program now at the Houston Zoo.

While working at the Houston Zoo, Gary put down lifelong roots in Pearland, Texas, purchasing a home with his former wife, Natasha Schischakin.

In 1984, after five years at Houston Zoo, Gary followed his love of the desert southwest and took a position as Curator of Birds and Mammals at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a ground-breaking, ecosystem-focused zoological institution near Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. From transporting jackrabbits in cardboard boxes — playfully nicknamed "Jack in the Box" — to caring for bears and even tending to colleagues after hawk attacks or removing flies from their ears, Gary's time there was full of unique experiences that forged lifelong friendships across Southern Arizona. It was also during his time at the Desert Museum that he met Janie Schembri (formerly Harwell), the mother of his son, Travis, before he eventually returned to Houston to establish his private practice.

In 1985, he started his new life as a private practice veterinarian, acquiring Southeast Animal Clinic in the Hobby Airport area. He transitioned from an exotic and wildlife focus to a general practice with a specialty in avian and herpetological medicine. With this new chapter taking shape, he started his family with Janie, who had moved to the Houston area with Gary. His son, Travis, was born in Houston, and Gary spent every moment he could with him, passing down all he had learned throughout his life. He taught Travis to catch snakes, crocodiles, and birds, and to shoot a bow and rifle, all before Travis turned five. Over the next 35 years, he and Travis shared countless adventures, traveling across the United States and, later, the world. They took a multitude of historic Old Highway 90 trips through West Texas, exploring the little towns, landscapes, and hidden treasures, and later ventured north to Yellowstone. Gary's strong bond to Travis carried on to his grandchildren, with whom he spent a remarkable amount of time. Gary, Natalie, and Owen were inseparable, and whenever they were together, they played nonstop. Spending time with them gave Gary the joy of reliving Travis's childhood all over again, but this time as "Mopai," as the grandchildren called him. Together, they carried on cherished traditions from Travis's younger years while creating new memories and traditions of their own. His legacy continues not only through his son, but through his grandchildren, to whom he passed on his love of nature and the outdoors, and his belief in always learning and living life to the fullest. When possible, he would go with Moni' to visit his stepson Jonathan and his family, especially for birthdays and random weekends.

Even with a busy schedule devoted to his family, expanding Southeast Animal Clinic, and supporting conservation efforts, Gary possessed a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, he launched several side businesses rooted in his personal passions for herpetology, mineral collecting, and photography and videography. These ventures allowed him to expand his network and create lasting friendships around the world. Through his clinic and side projects, Gary remained deeply connected to the exotic animal community — assisting local wildlife parks and rehabilitation centers, mentoring veterinarians from abroad, managing clients' specialized collections, and always finding a good excuse to keep a collection of exotic animals of his own. There is only so much space to share all the ways Gary touched the lives of people — and especially animals — as a zoo veterinarian and early pioneer in animal dentistry, through his contributions to professional articles and presentations, and through his daily work teaching and educating clients on the care and welfare of their beloved pets.

Gary was truly an extraordinary person, full of wisdom, humor, passion, and a sense of adventure. Although he is deeply missed, his legacy carries on in the knowledge and compassion he passed on to so many others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 12th in Houston, close to his clinic. If interested in attending, please contact the clinic number prior to September 11th for additional information or to RSVP.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Gary's name to the Crocodile Research Coalition of Belize (crocodileresearchcoalition.org/donate) or the Belize Zoo (belizezoo.org) — both organizations Gary worked with directly — or to the Tucson Wildlife Center (tucsonwildlife.com). Donations to a small local animal charity, conservation organization, or bird sanctuary of your choice are also welcome.