David and Lynn Herring were the parents of former BYU offensive lineman Isaac Herring, who tried out for two NFL teams after graduating last year, and Eli Herring, who played offensive tackle for the Cougars from 1991 to 1994.

According to a statement from the Utah Highway Patrol, David Herring, 58, was driving a 1984 Yamaha motorcycle on U.S. 189 just above the Sundance turnoff when the accident happened. His wife, Lynn, 55, was riding as his passenger.

As the road began to curve, the northbound motorcycle drifted into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a 1990 Lexus L8 being driven by Sterling Oaks of Provo. Oaks, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured. Both David and Lynn Herring were wearing helmets and eye protection at the time of the accident.

Emergency personnel from both Utah and Wasatch counties gave the victims first aid at the scene. Lynn Herring was pronounced dead at the scene. David Herring was flown by medical helicopter to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

UHP officers at the scene reported that driver inexperience may have played a part in the accident as David Herring did not have a motorcycle endorsement.

Adrielle Herring, daughter to the couple, said the family was grateful for the values their parents taught them.

“We are so grateful for the way they sacrificed for us and for teaching us to value the things that are most important,” she said. “They taught us by example, taught us to love each other, taught us things that we will pass on to our children. We feel it was a tremendous honor to have them as our parents.”

The couple was “fierce” in their dedication to their covenants as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she said.

Lynn Herring will be remembered for untold hours of service to the local parent-teacher association, Adrielle Herring said, and for crocheting numerous leper bandages for charity. Lynn also taught 30 piano students, each of whom was required to come to the Herring home to practice for one hour a day, five days a week.

“Mom had eight keyboards and two pianos and they were all in use all afternoon,” she said. “She charged almost nothing, she just loved to watch them grow. She arranged it so they could get music credit at their schools. These kids knew she loved them.”

David Herring, who worked as a supervisor at BYU’s Air Conditioning and Heating Shop, made all that possible, said son Isaac Herring.

“He constantly worked 15 hours or more a day, he always had two jobs just to provide,” he said.

“We love them and miss them, and the community loves and misses them. I’ve been talking to the community all day and they say ‘Your parents did so much for everyone, we just want to do something for you guys.’ “

BYU head football coach Gary Crowton, for whom Isaac Herring played last year, said he learned about the Herrings death before the game but did not tell his players.

“It is so hard, I just wish his family and Isaac the best,” he said. “We love and care for him and we want to be there in support for him.”

A viewing for the couple will be held Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Mapleton North Stake Center, 475 N. 1600 West, Mapleton.

A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the same location.

Caleb Warnock can be reached at 344-2543 or cwarnock@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.