This article commemorates the lives of MG Gary Harrell, a distinguished military veteran, and Chad Nathan Harrell, a vibrant young man.
MG Gary Harrell (1951-2023)
Retired Green Beret MG Gary Harrell, a former Delta Force Commander, passed away early Valentine’s Day in Johnson City, TN, at the age of 71. His numerous military exploits included hunting Pablo Escobar, rescuing American hostages in Panama, and operations in Somalia. Following an 18-month battle against Glioblastoma brain cancer, he peacefully reunited with his brothers-in-arms, surrounded by loved ones.
Harrell was born in Johnson City, TN in 1951. In December 1973, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, having been awarded the first 4-year ROTC scholarship to ETSU. Harrell completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1977.
His career took him around the globe. He spent 15 years with Delta Force, including two years as commander. After leaving Delta, he joined Central Command and oversaw the initial operations in Afghanistan. He was SOCCENT commander during the beginning stages of the ground war in Iraq. MG Harrell retired from the US Army in 2008 and continued work in the private sector.
US Army Special Forces shoulder sleeve insignia
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Family and Memorial
MG Harrell is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jennifer Counts; daughter, Andrea Burchette and her husband Kevin Burchette and daughters Carson Grace and Callie Faith; son, Chad Harrell and his wife Marcia and sons Rory Lynn and William Finnegan; and daughter, Amanda Schwamburger and husband Nathan Schwamburger and son Harrell Thomas and daughter Hadley Canon; his mother, Louise Harrell; brothers, Robert Harrell and wife Donna, Jim Harrell and his wife Donna, and sister, Mary Blake; brother-in-law, Lawrence Counts and his wife Choureé.
The burial service will be conducted Monday, February 20th, at 9:00 am at Mountain Home National Cemetery (Annex), 215 Heroes Dr., Mountain Home, TN 37684.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Task Force Dagger in memory of MG Harrell.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the Harrell family.
Chad Nathan Harrell (2000-2017)
Chad Nathan Harrell was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Nathan and Sylvia Harrell on March 27, 2000, and passed away on June 12, 2017. Chad was a rising senior at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, KS.
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Chad brought joy and laughter to everything he did. Chad personified laughter and found happiness in the small things like skiing with his family in Colorado, playing with his dog, Rigby, and blasting music in the car with his sisters. He is remembered by his teammates as “always smiling or humming an obscure 70’s song”. A dedicated lacrosse player.
Lacrosse stick and ball
Always quick with a joke or wild stunt to elicit smiles. Chad was a truly radiant young man in every sense of the word.
Family
Chad is survived by his grandparents, Melvin and Carolyn Harrell and Gene and Jan Michaels; his parents, Nathan and Sylvia Harrell; his older sisters, Melanie Harrell and Krista Harrell-Stirland, and her husband Connor Stirland; and countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
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