Alan Lee Atchley, 63, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock. He was surrounded by his family, church friends and dog Butterbean. He was a lifelong resident of Hot Springs. Alan was born Feb. 5, 1949, to William Henry “Punkin” and Esther Mae Atchley.

He is survived by his wife, soulmate, and partner, Deborah Jean “Debby” Atchley, to whom he was married for 28 years; children, Scott Atchley and wife Tammy, Seth Atchley and Rebecca Atchley, of Hot Springs, and Regi Ott and husband Jeremy Bragg, of Little Rock; grandchildren, Brandi Cannon and husband Josh, and Ashleigh Mayberry, of Hot Springs; great grandchild, Lillie Cannon; siblings Doug Atchley and wife Jane, Robert Atchley, Carol Aughenbaugh and husband John, and Russell Atchley and wife Colleen, of Hot Springs and Joe Atchley and wife Vickie, of Vancouver, Wash.; sister-in-law, Suzi Uptergrove, of Hot Springs and brother-in-law Larry Limberg and wife Theresa, of Boise, Idaho. Alan treated his nieces and nephews more like his own children and grandchildren. Those who consider him family are abundant and too numerous to name.

Alan was a Veteran with the United States Army Reserve. He was a 33rd Degree (an honorary Degree above 32nd) member of the Masonic Sumpter Lodge No. 419. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a faithful choir member, Sunday school student, and Missionary enthusiast.

He and Debby opened Atchley’s Outpost in Hot Springs in 1987, where he enjoyed sharing hunting and fishing stories with his customers and sneaking candy to children. Today the store continues this family tradition and is now owned by son, Scott, and wife, Tammy.

Alan enjoyed fishing, hunting, bluegrass, gospel, the Hogs, the Cardinals, gardening, singing and pestering those closest to him. Alan retired in 2011 and he and Debby spent their time together fishing, cooking and serving the Lord.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff of National Park Medical Center and John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital for their prayers and outstanding care. Alan will be missed, but forever celebrated and remembered.

Visitation will be Monday from 5-7 p.m. at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, 155 Section Line Road in Hot Springs. The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, led by John McCallum. Burial to follow at Memorial Gardens, 3800 Airport Road in Hot Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made to First Baptist’s building fund or missionary fund c/o First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, 2530 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, or http://www.fbchsark.org.

Guests may register at http://www.caruth-hale.com.

Published: 10/14/2012