Bryan Franklin Hennings

Bryan Franklin Hennings, 42 of Sanford, NC passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024 at Duke University Hospital surrounded by loved ones. Bryan fought a valiant fight against his disease.

Bryan was born on January 1, 1982 to Grover Franklin Hennings and the late Nellie Louise Lytle Hennings of Sanford, NC. Bryan was predeceased by his beloved Mama, who was his best friend, and his grandparents.

Bryan is survived by his father, Grover F. Hennings of Sanford, NC. His wife Crystal Johnson Hennings of the home, his stepdaughter Michaela Kirby, son-in-law, Dylan Barreras, granddaughter, Finley Paige Barreras of Cameron, NC, Cousin, Barry Hennings (Lori) of Carthage, NC, Dylan Hennings (Rebekah) of Johnson City, TN. Mother and Father-in-Law, Mike and Cindy Johnson of Sanford, NC. His adopted families, the late Gary Dollar, Libby Dollar, Melissa Dollar (Carlee, Haylee, Kolton), Gary Dollar Jr (Meagan, Hunter, Mason, Chandler, Penelope), Jeremy Dollar (Ashley) Godsons Ashton, Aiden Dollar, Brittany Dollar, Elton Ellis (Candi, Ori, Taison), “Big Brother” Kevin Stone, and a host of family and friends.  

Bryan was the owner and operator of Honorable Arms Gun Shop, LLC. The “Gun Shop” was Bryan’s lifelong dream he realized last Halloween Day.  Firearms and anything  related was Bryan’s passion. Bryan was a problem solver. He was almost addicted to YouTube. There wasn’t much of anything he couldn’t figure out, especially after days of YouTube and internet research. Anything Bryan did, he put his all into it. He loved learning new things. Bryan was also a proud firefighter for many years. He was a former member of Tramway Rural Fire Department and the former Sanford-Lee County Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Bryan looked forward to his yearly fishing trips to the Outer Banks with his adopted families, the Dollars and the Ellis’, grilling, making his own seasonings, gardening and fussing at Crystal for worrying too much. He was a wonderful husband who loved his wife fiercely and there will forever be a hole in her heart without him here with her.

Bryan was an excellent guitar player and shared a huge love of all things music with Crystal . He enjoyed target practicing with father, father-in-law, step-daughter, son-in-law and anyone else who loved to shoot. He enjoyed cooking for people and having friends and family over for  “Fight Nights” , especially UFC. He loved joking with his mother-in-law who he affectionately called “Buttercup”.

Bryan loved history and researching his heritage. He was a longtime member of the SCV-MC where he made many friendships that he cherished dearly.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the doctors and nurses at Duke Medical Pavilion, MICU for their genuine, professional care during Bryan’s last weeks. They did everything they could to help Bryan recover and everyone was a great comfort to Crystal. A huge thank you to Mark Cole, Aaron Thornton, Jeremy Dollar, and Rex Chezem for keeping Bryan’s dream running while he’s been sick.

Bryan’s last wish was to have his ashes spread at the family farm in Lemon Springs and also in Frisco, NC where we loved to go each year with his extended families.

 Memorial gifts can be made in Bryan’s honor to: Duke University Medical Center for liver disease research, email: giving-dukehealth@duke.edu address: 300 W. Morgan Street, Suite 1000, Durham, NC 27701 and/or Lee County Wildlife Club, Mailing Address: PO Box 97 Sanford, NC 27331 https://www.leecountywildlifeclub.com/contact-us If you are unable to donate, please share Bryan’s love of shooting, hunting and fishing with a child. Also, if you are healthy, able and willing, please consider being an organ donor and blood donor. The gift of blood donation helped Bryan’s fight.

A memorial service is being planned and details will be announced as soon as possible.

Veritas et Aéquitas  ~ Illegitimi non carborundum ~ Vsqve ad finem

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