Alan Keith Orlicek, age 71

Alan Keith Orlicek, age 71, of Searcy, Arkansas lost his battle with bladder cancer on September 8, 2025. He was born in Greenville, Mississippi on October 9, 1953 to the late Frank Justin Orlicek and Martha Jane (Bell) Orlicek. He is also preceded in death by his grandparents Loyce and Katherine Bell, George and Frances Orlicek.

He is survived by two siblings Pamela J. Johnson and Terry J. Orlicek (Penny), Janice Newton (aunt), Glen Bell (uncle), many cousins and devoted friends.

Alan graduated from Deer Creek School in Arcola and attended Mississippi Delta Community College and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He left college to work offshore in the oil industry, intending to return to college, and ended up farming.

He was a master at engraving, etching, and inscribing wood, metal, glass, brick, and even eggshells. He personalized bricks with the names of graduates so that schools could add them to sidewalks, created pendants that featured a thumb-sized portrait, and hand carved pumpkins that he donated to various businesses at Halloween.

Alan was responsible for bringing life to the Delta Blues Walk of Fame on Walnut Street in Greenville, Mississippi. He etched each piece of granite with a likeness of a local or regional musician and information about each musician.

He spent many days in Jackson, Mississippi engraving the bricks that compose Spotter’s Adventure Trail, which connects the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. He also put his talent to use to help create a Wall of Honor at the baseball field at Delta State University as well as war memorials in Cleveland, Senatobia, and Jackson, Mississippi.

Alan was a gifted artisan, generous, and kind. His artwork touched many lives, and he will be truly missed.

A graveside service will be held at Hickory Plains Cemetery in Hickory Plains, Arkansas at a later date.

Memorials can be sent to Animal Relief and Rescue Fellowship (AARF), PO Box 66, Leland, MS 38756, or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1640, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com