Alan Heirman

Alan Heirman, age 77 of Albany, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Thursday, January 11th at the Albany Methodist Church with Rev. Tim Trimble and Rev. Danny Houze officiating. Interment will follow in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm Wednesday, January 10th at the Albany Methodist Church.
Alan Leo Heirman was born November 5, 1946 in Abilene, Texas to Leo Alphonse Heirman and Lucile Elizabeth Gravens Heirman. Upon graduating from Hondo High School, Alan went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree from Abilene Christian College and then his Master of Science Degree from Texas Tech University. He earned double majors from both institutions in Animal Science and Range Management. On July 26, 1969, he married the love of his life, Mary Louise Brubaker in Abilene. Alan worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for 36 years. The Heirman family moved to Albany from Abilene 40 years ago and they were active members of the Albany Methodist Church. Alan was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, Fort Griffin Fandangle Association, and the Texas Section Society for Range Management. Alan was very active in his community in many aspects. He was a co- founder of the Bobwhite Brigade, co-founder of the Albany Girls Softball Association, founder of Shackelford County Range and Wildlife Association and volunteered numerous hours guiding hunts for Disability Resources Inc. and Children's Miracle Network Hospital. He also mentored youth in Shackelford County 4-H and Albany FFA. He was an avid Albany Lion fan and attended all football games up until his health declined. He was proud to live long enough to see the Lions win back-to-back State Championships. He was a leading pioneer of prescribed burning in the 1970s and later introduced prescribed burning to Shackelford County ranchers where it flourished. At the time of his retirement from NRCS, he had recorded 404 prescribed burns which is the most for the state of Texas and a record that will be hard to break. Alan earned several awards in his life and career including: Soil Conservationist of the Year, Outstanding Leader in Fire Ecology, and the Honorary Lone Star Farmer Degree. His highest achievement in life was his four grandchildren that he referred to as his ornery monkeys. Alan would like to be remembered as a "Simple man, simple life." Mr. Heirman was preceded in death by his father, Leo Heirman, and his grandparents John & Frances Gravens.
Mr. Heirman is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Heirman of Albany; two daughters, Michelle Kayga and husband Stephen of Albany, Jennifer Meador and husband Casey of Abilene; his mother Lucile Heirman of Abilene; three siblings, Bobby Heirman, Roger Heirman, Frances Ann Gardner, all of Abilene; and four grandchildren, Blaine Alan Kayga, Brooke Hope Kayga, Aubrey Renae Meador, Shaylee Casey Meador.
Memorials may be made to the Texas Brigades (www.texasbrigades.org), Kiwanis Club of Albany Scholarship Fund, or to the Albany Methodist Church (P.O. Box 2229, Albany, TX 76430) and may be left at Morehart Mortuary. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.