Gerald Francis Armstrong 1925-2002 Obituary
Gerald Francis Armstrong, 77, of Chenoweth Creek Road, passed away at home on Sept. 19, 2002, after a brief illness.
He was born March 20, 1925, in Adolph, a son of the late Narvil Russel Armstrong and Flaura Ellen Fincham Armstrong.
On May 5, he celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with Reta Marie Wyatt Armstrong, who resides in their Chenoweth Creek Road home. He had been previously married to Jo Ellen Scheitlin, who lives in Columbus, Ohio.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one brother, Joe B. Armstrong, Beverly; five sons, Randall D. Armstrong, Barrington, N.H., David A. Armstrong, Belington, Daniel A. Yokum, Coalton, Charles D. “Wayne” Armstrong, Hickory, N.C., and Rodney L. Armstrong, Petersburg; two daughters, Deanna “Dee” F. Armstrong, Fairmont, and Lisa M. Armstrong, Abingdon, Md.; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Russell A. Armstrong, Dale W. Armstrong and Herbert C. Armstrong; and three sisters, Gertrude L. Bright, Bernice O. Brock and Genevieve O. Shannon.
Mr. Armstrong graduated with the honor of Valedictorian from Adolph High School in 1942 and graduated from Tygarts Valley High School in 1943. He served in the Navy during World War II in Australia and the Phillipines as a ship’s carpenter on a floating dry dock. He was stationed at the USNTS, Great Lakes, Ill., USS Arden, and Sub Repair Unit, Navy 137. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Carpenter’s Mate, 2nd Class and was awarded the Pacific Theatre and American Theatre Ribbons and the Victory Medal.
After his discharge, he began a lifelong career as a carpenter and was the carpenter foreman or superintendent on such notable constructions as the Elkins Federal Building, then-gov. Jay Rockefeller’s home in Dunmore, Greenbank Radio Astronomy Laboratory, Davis Memorial Hospital, Memorial General Hospital, Davis & Elkins College, Citizen’s National Bank, Elkins Junior High School, the homes of several dignitaries in the Washington, D.C. area and his home on Chenoweth Creek Road.
Mr. Armstrong was active in the Carpenter’s Local Union 614 where he served as president of the District Council and business agent. He was instrumental in establishing the Carpenter’s Health Fund of West Virginia, the Carpenter’s Pension Plan and the Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program which has helped many carpenters and their families obtain health insurance, retirement assistance, and additional opportunities in their field.
He was a devoted father and husband who worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable home and education for his children. Many people will remember him for his highly intelligent mind, his quick wit, and his stanch support of the fair and equitable treatment of others regardless of their race or social standing. Mr. Armstrong had a passion for politics and government affairs. In recent years, he had been an active presence at Randolph County Tax Study, County Commission, and Board of Education meetings where he promoted those same values.
He was a member of Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Friends may call at the Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, Mr. Armstrong will be moved to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints near Beverly, where friends may call from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with Bishop Lynn Muhlestein, Elder Danny Yokum and Ralph Bennett officiating and interment will follow at Mountain State Memorial Gardens, where full military rites will be accorded by members of Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Elkins and H.W. Daniels Post No. 29 American Legion of Elkins
Gerald Francis Armstrong 1925-2002 Obituary
