He was born August 31, 1917 in Brown County to W.L. and Martha Armstrong. A poor, depression era farm kid, he borrowed money to enter Texas Tech, worked two jobs seven days a week, and graduated with honors in 1938. He joined the U.S. Navy at the start of WWII, and as a naval officer served as a bomb disposal and Japanese ordinance expert in Australia and New Guinea. Before leaving for the war, he married his college sweetheart, Thelma Payne. The two were married for 63 years before her passing in 2003. Army was a prominent C.P.A. in Lubbock for 58 years and also served in numerous civic and volunteer roles including coaching basketball at the Boys' Club and serving as treasurer for the United Way.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law; Nello and Suzy Armstrong of Irving, and Brent and Karen Armstrong of Lubbock; five grandchildren, J. Colton of San Antonio, Shanna of Lubbock, Cassidy of Dallas, Clayton of Austin, and Diane of Raleigh, N.C.; and one great-grandson, Payton of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Joel, who performed as a baritone with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
He was born August 31, 1917 in Brown County to W.L. and Martha Armstrong. A poor, depression era farm kid, he borrowed money to enter Texas Tech, worked two jobs seven days a week, and graduated with honors in 1938. He joined the U.S. Navy at the start of WWII, and as a naval officer served as a bomb disposal and Japanese ordinance expert in Australia and New Guinea. Before leaving for the war, he married his college sweetheart, Thelma Payne. The two were married for 63 years before her passing in 2003. Army was a prominent C.P.A. in Lubbock for 58 years and also served in numerous civic and volunteer roles including coaching basketball at the Boys' Club and serving as treasurer for the United Way.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law; Nello and Suzy Armstrong of Irving, and Brent and Karen Armstrong of Lubbock; five grandchildren, J. Colton of San Antonio, Shanna of Lubbock, Cassidy of Dallas, Clayton of Austin, and Diane of Raleigh, N.C.; and one great-grandson, Payton of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Joel, who performed as a baritone with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
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