SPRINGDALE — Hundreds of people crammed into the pews Tuesday at First United Methodist Church to mourn the loss of Larry Shank, the charismatic public address announcer for Arkansas baseball.

An hour-long funeral service was held to celebrate the life of Shank, who died last Saturday after a bout with skin cancer.

Less than two months ago, Shank, 56, was still revving up the crowd at Baum Stadium like a ring leader at a circus, holding a microphone while swaying side to side on the balcony behind home plate. Each game, he sang, “ Take Me Out to the Ballgame, ” before the bottom of the seventh inning and on occasion he would belt out the “ National Anthem” with his dulcet voice. Up until his very last day at the ballpark in June, Shank still commanded the crowd’s attention with his enthusiastic performances.

“ The last time I saw him he looked great, ” Arkansas baseball announcer Rick Schaeffer said. “ We used to hug each other before every game. I want to hug him today. ”

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Shank was remembered as a man with an effervescent personality and a sharp mind. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with degrees in journalism and marketing. And from that point forward, Shank was always busy. He spent time as a radio disc jockey, a producer of television pilots and a jingle writer for commercials. He also was given the job of introducing both the Razorback and Springdale High marching bands.

But it wasn’t until 1990 that he became associated with Arkansas baseball and developed a connection with the thousands of spectators who would come out to see the Razorbacks play.

For the next 17 seasons, he was a fixture at George Cole Field and Baum Stadium — a constant presence when the Hogs took the field in the late winter and spring. The players would come and go. The venue would change. And the old uniforms would be replaced by newer and flashier ones. But Shank would remain behind the microphone.

“ He was special, ” said Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, who will be retiring this year. “ Many years ago — maybe 20 or 30 — I had a chance see him at the Arts Center in ‘ Fiddler on the Roof. ’ I said, ‘ What a talented young man. ’ No one will replace him. ”

That was the sentiment communicated by Don Gibson, the president and CEO of Legacy Bank. Gibson was charged with giving the eulogy for Shank, whose survivors include his wife, Karen, son Andrew Shank, daughter Amanda Shank, a brother, John Shank, and a sister, Bar- bara Eimer.

“ Larry loved his work because it was all about people, ” Gibson said. “ And Larry’s work made people feel special. ”

Razorbacks baseball coach Dave Van Horn said that without Shank’s smooth voice echoing from the loudspeakers at Baum Stadium there will be something missing from the atmosphere at Arkansas’ home ballpark.

“ He had his hand on a lot of things in the community, ” Van Horn said. “ He is really going to be missed. He was taken too soon from us. ”