Frank Alan Herring departed this life at the age of 96 on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in Benton, Arkansas. He was born in Strong, Arkansas, to Jacob Archie and Effie (Nelson) Herring, on June 2, 1927, the youngest of 6 siblings (Jacob, Eleanor, Roscoe (Bill), and Thomas (Tom) and Tom’s twin who died at birth).
On March 30, 1962, Alan married Sara Jane Farris in El Dorado, Arkansas, and they remained married for 58 years until her passing in September 2020. Together, they raised 3 sons, Mark Alan, David Brent, and Michael Kent Herring, along with stepdaughter Donna Gail (Sandifer) Shell, all who survive him, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. While in El Dorado, the family were long-time members of Marrable Hill Chapel.
Growing up, Alan loved baseball, repairing bicycles, bee keeping, and worked in his father’s automotive shop until he was drafted at 23. He fought in the Korean War with G Company, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, as an infantryman. Alan returned to Arkansas and would mention how fortunate it was that he was hired to work by Arkansas Power & Light, where he would work for more than 38 years until his retirement in 1991. He also ran his own small business, Herring Automotive Electric, a shop he built in the family’s El Dorado backyard, until he retired from that in 1988.
Alan was friendly, outgoing, kind, and considerate of others, and set a positive example as a husband and father. He worked two or three jobs when needed to support his family, was generous, and at dinner would always refuse the last piece of steak or dessert, so that one of his children might have it.
Visitation will be Monday, November 13, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at Young’s Funeral Directors Chapel with the funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial service will follow at Strong Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Herring family.