Alan Benton Hornbeak

Alan Benton Hornbeak, age 86, joined his heavenly family on October 31, 2017, in Conroe, Texas. He was born in July, 1931 in Mer Rouge, Louisiana. He was the sixth child and youngest of Amy Wilson Hornbeak and James Benton Hornbeak. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Nancy Becker Hornbeak. He will be dearly missed by his children and grandchildren: Ginger Hornbeak Plaster and her husband, Shawn, and their children, Luke, Elise and Maeve, residing in Seattle, Washington; Ross Hornbeak and his wife, Ellie, and their children, Hannah, Brooke, and Brody, residing in Conroe, Texas; Clifford Hornbeak, residing in Florence, Mississippi, and his son Hunter Hornbeak and his wife, Erin, residing in Abilene, Texas; and Carl Hornbeak and his wife, Renee, residing in Jayess, Mississippi. His surviving sibling, his only sister, Jean Hornbeak Donaldson and her husband, Tom, residing in Estero, Florida, and their children were very dear to him. His nephew, Russ Hornbeak of Crossett, Arkansas, had a very special bond lasting through the years. He was preceded in death by his four brothers: James, Max, Richard, and Ted Hornbeak. Alan was the prefect patriarch of his family. He was a loving, devoted husband to his wife, and always put his family first in every way. He influenced his children and grandchildren by the way he lived his life- with integrity, hard work, and constant support and love. He was a gentleman to the core of his being. His work ethic was considered legendary in the family- he never wanted to be idle. He mentored many young men through the years by impressing on them how important the choices we make in life determine who we are. He was an avid outdoorsman and bird hunter. He enjoyed nothing more than to be in a duck blind as the sun rose. Fishing was one of his greatest pleasures, especially fly fishing. He treasured his fishing and hunting buddies, many of whom were lifelong friends. He was Valedictorian of Mer Rouge High school. He attended Northeast Louisiana College before joining the Air Force in 1950. Upon his discharge in 1954, he went to work for Texaco Inc. in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a Petroleum Landman. He left the oil industry in 1972 to test his entrepreneurial talents as owner of a sporting goods business and bass boat dealership in Bastrop, Louisiana. After much success, he decided to once again use his experience as a Landman and went to work for Ensearch Exploration in Jackson, Mississippi, as a Senior Landman. Through the ensuing years he worked for Sun Oil Company and ultimately was Vice President of Land for First Energy Corporation. In 1983, First Energy relocated him to Houston, Texas. He continued his career with JN Oil and Gas, Inc. when they bought First Energy, and he retired in 1999. However, true to form, he worked as a Petroleum Consultant until 2016. In his later years, he focused most of his energies on clearing 4.5 acres on Lake Limestone, and then built, by his own hands, a fishing compound with a house and a pond. He so enjoyed every moment spent there. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 3:00pm, at Cashner Funeral Home, the Colonial Chapel, in Conroe, Texas. The family invited his friends to join us in sharing their memories and stories of the good times of his life. You are invited to view our webpage and leave written tributes to the family at cashnerconroe.com