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Students Nick Ward and Mitchell Cook, itnessed the unexpected death of their friend and classmate, Wesley Harwell, a 20-year-old second semester auto body major on April 11 in the T- building.
They said he walked into the classroom and greeted everyone as usual. It appeared to be like any other school day.
“We went through briefing the students on what needed to be done. As we were pulling everything inside the shop, that’s when it happened,” said Carlos Ojeda, an auto body instructor.
Later that class period he sat down and then laid on the floor.
“I figured he was just laying there for a little bit. I looked back, he was still there, and he didn’t get up. Carlos came in and called for some help,” said Nick Ward, autobody major.
As students were gathered away from the scene. They collected together for a moment of silence with Professors Jeff Mitchell and Carlos Ojeda and Instructor Associates Rick Gutierrez and Ramiro Gutierrez. Jeremy Hoeber and Joseph Thornhill went in search to find Kristina Sadler, Harwell’s girlfriend.
Harwell’s family was notified.
“They called me while I was at work at R.S. Clark, a medical billing company,” said Tammy Harwell, Wesley’s mother.
Then, paramedics transported Harwell to the Mesquite Community Hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward by the attending physician.
There are no emergency phones available within the shop; however, students carry cell phones, and there is also a phone available in an office around the corner.
“This is the first time we’ve ever had an episode like this,” Ojeda said. “We had plenty of airflow. All the doors were open. There was no spraying going on, nothing to put anybody in danger.”
Harwell had a light case of asthma. He had just had a doctor’s visit in January.
“His asthma is kind of seasonal. It bothered him more during the spring. He had been taking pills, little green ones, for a couple years,” said Tammy Harwell. “He didn’t smoke or take steroids. He just didn’t do that. He knew that if he wanted to play football, it just wouldn’t happen.”
Paramedics say there could possibly have been fluid in his lungs. The autopsy reports have not been completed yet.
Class was cancelled as family, friends and classmates recalled the better times with Harwell.
“He had a great personality, like a magnet that just attracted people,” said Rose Wilson, photography, digital imaging, and automotive major.
Harwell enjoyed attending Eastfield and accompanying the friends that he had made there.
“He went to Eastfield even on his days off,” said Tammy Harwell.
Classmates feel empty without him around.
“He was all over this school. He always had time to talk to people. He will surely be missed,” said Wayne Vila, Criminal Justice major. “He was a good friend. He was the kind of guy when you met him you never forget him.”
Harwell was not only the vice president of the autobody club, but he also worked at UPS.
“It would have been two years in July,” said Tammy Harwell.
He was very active in dominos and football. His favorite football teams were the Cowboys and the Longhorns.
“He lived and breathed football,” Hoeber said.
He also enjoyed basketball. He was a very laid back, simple guy.
“He was an easy going guy. He always said hi and shook your hand in the morning, even if you got into it with him the day before. He was the best friend anybody could have because he didn’t hold grudges. He was always willing to help and eager to learn,” Thornhill said.
He always wore blue basketball shorts with a white shirt, a blue hoodie and a doo-rag.
“He took [the hoodie] off only long enough for me to wash it,” said Tammy Harwell.
His favorite color was blue. He owned a dark blue Honda.
“That was his dream car,” Tammy Harwell said.
“We were going to open up an auto collision shop,” said Markel Hall, his best friend,
“His car was going to be his first design.”
The autobody class plans on completing the car for the Harwell family.
“Wesley thought he was God’s gift to ladies,” Hoeber said; however, he was dedicated to one woman, Kristina Sadler. They would have been dating for one year on May 14.
As far as academically speaking, professors admired him.
“He was a very good student and very energetic,” said Mitchell. “He was an A student.”
Harwell’s viewing was on Thursday, April 13, and his funeral was on Friday, April 15. He is buried by William Rex Harwell, his grandfather.
Wesley Harwell is survived by brother Tony Harwell, grandmother Patricia Harwell, aunt Vicki Harwell, cousin Jacey Harwell, girlfriend Kristina Sadler and godmother Peggy Thomas. | 
