Abstract Dr. John “Wes” Tunnell, a Coastal Bend native, was a distinguished marine ecologist, writer teacher and early faculty member at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi whose work helped to shape the lives of countless students and colleagues as well as the campus he called home. A Professor of Biology his work focused primarily on coral reef ecosystems. He started the now distinguished marine biology program, founded the Center for Coastal Studies at TAMU-CC, the first dedicated research...