Jesse Atwell

Jesse Dwayne Atwell "Dwayne" Dwayne Atwell was an educator, an inventor, a herpetologist, writer, photographer, and, most importantly, a man of integrity. He passionately loved his country, venomous snakes, and his wife of 31 years, Cheryl. Dwayne quietly passed away the morning of June 10, 2009 at age 75. Raised on a farm in Little Sioux, Iowa, he served in the US Army's Criminal Investigation Detachment in Alaska. After successfully completing both a B.A. and M.A. at Utah State University in four years, he dedicated his life to educating young and old in formal and informal settings. From the rugged country of the Snake River Schools in Idaho, to the prestigious Osborne School District of the mid 1970's, from the southern most Arizona border in Patagonia during the 1980's, and continuing his service to the children of Arizona on the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation in the 1990's, Dwayne Atwell was an advocate of authentic and meaningful educational practices long before it was politically correct to do so. His dedication to Native American children was honored when Dwayne was adopted into the Kinyaa'nii Towering House Clan by Ruth Rossell of Round Rock. After his "retirement" from education, Dwayne used his mountain home in Nutrioso as a writing retreat to complete several volumes on southwest rattlesnakes and a venomous snake checklist. Even after moving back to the Phoenix area, he worked tirelessly to improve the knowledge base of people who lived side by side with the venomous snakes of Arizona, giving free seminars and relocating rattlesnakes away from populated areas. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, four children: Aaron, Chaylene, Brent and Rachelle, several grand children and great-grand children. Needless to say, his intelligence and honor, passion and wicked sense of humor leaves a void in the hearts of many. A Celebration Service is planned for June 27, 2009 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Questions can be answered by calling Alison 602.769.7621 or JoLynn 817.602.6867.