THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
Search Results
Donald L. Harwell
Maker interview details
Interview
- March 15, 2008
Profession
- Category:
ReligionMakers
- Occupation(s):
Sales Executive
Birthplace
- Born: January 19, 1946
- Birth Location: Los Angeles, California
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Favorite Food: Ambrosia Burger
- Favorite Time of Year: Fall
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Caribbean
Favorite Quote
"It Is What It Is."
Biography
Vice President of Sales for PowerStream, Inc., Donald Lyle Harwell was born on January 19, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to Andrew L. Harwell and Veronica Rodrigeuz. As a youth, Harwell attended 42nd Street Elementary School in Los Angeles. He went on to graduate from Susan Miller Dorsey High School where he was a member of the football and track teams. Harwell attended East L.A. Junior College before receiving a football scholarship to attend California State University in Los Angeles.
After completing a course in scuba diving, Harwell became a certified scuba diving instructor and earned a position with Pacific Diver Supply in Long Beach, California. He served in that capacity, instructing high school students in Orange County and Los Angeles County until 1971. Then, in 1974, Harwell founded California Concepts providing wooden aquarium stands to department stores in southern California. In 1978, Harwell was hired as a salesman for Rotron Fans and designed the cooler for the SR 71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. Harwell later moved to Colorado to work for Howard Fans in 1980. While in Colorado, he was recruited as an independent sales representative and later worked for Component Well until 1995.
Harwell moved to Utah and served as a chaplains assistant at the Utah State Prison in 1986. In 1992, he served on the corrections advisory council. In 1996, Harwell was influential in the reemergence of the Genesis Group, a missionary group that works to provide spiritual strength to its members. He went on to become the organization’s president in 2003. Harwell also served as the director for the Adult Probation and Parole Citizens Review Board helping to promote integrity and accountability in ex-cons.
Harwell was Vice President of Sales for PowerStream, Inc. and served on the Stake High Council of the Midvale Utah Union.
Harwell lived with his wife, Jerri, and their six children in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Harwell was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on March 15, 2008.
Harwell passed away on May 8, 2021.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Donald L. Harwell's interview
- Donald L. Harwell lists his favorites
- Donald L. Harwell describes his mother's family background
- Donald L. Harwell describes his mother's childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his maternal grandfather's mortuary business
- Donald Harwell describes his father's background
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his father's U.S. Navy service during World War II
- Donald L. Harwell describes how his parents met
- Donald L. Harwell describes how he takes after his parents
- Donald L. Harwell describes his father
- Donald L. Harwell lists his siblings
- Donald L. Harwell talks about his identical twin brother
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his earliest childhood memory
- Donald Harwell remembers his neighborhood in Compton, California
- Donald L. Harwell describes the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood
- Donald L. Harwell describes his education
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his activities as a teenager
- Donald L. Harwell remembers African American professional football players
- Donald L. Harwell talks about segregation in Los Angeles, California
- Donald L. Harwell recalls running track at Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California
- Donald L. Harwell describes his interests in high school
- Donald L. Harwell remembers the Watts riots in Los Angeles, California
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his senior year at Susan Miller Dorsey High School
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his U.S. Army service in Germany, pt. 1
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his U.S. Army service in Germany, pt. 2
- Donald L. Harwell remembers California State College, Los Angeles
- Donald L. Harwell recalls defusing riots on his U.S. Army base in Germany, pt. 1
- Donald L. Harwell recalls defusing riots on his U.S. Army base in Germany, pt. 2
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his work as a high school diving instructor
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his first diving experience in the Caribbean
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his aquarium stand business
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his work for Rotron Manufacturing Company, Inc.
- Donald L. Harwell remembers moving to Denver, Colorado
- Donald L. Harwell recalls founding Component-Well Inc.
- Donald L. Harwell describes the priesthood of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell recalls his introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell remembers his calling to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell describes the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell talks about the finances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell describes the community involvement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell talks about African Americans' inclusion in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell describes the challenges faced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell describes his employment with PowerStream Technology
- Donald L. Harwell talks about scripture interpretation
- Donald L. Harwell describes his plans for the future
- Donald L. Harwell describes his hopes for the African American community
- Donald L. Harwell talks about 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'
- Donald L. Harwell talks about the Iraq War
- Donald L. Harwell reflects upon his life
- Donald L. Harwell reflects upon his legacy
- Donald L. Harwell talks about his children, pt. 1
- Donald L. Harwell reflects upon his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Donald L. Harwell talks about his children, pt. 2
- Donald L. Harwell reflects upon his upbringing
- Donald L. Harwell describes how he would like to be remembered
- Donald L. Harwell narrates his photographs