JOHN "J.C." CHARLES ARMSTRONG
Died June 8, 2016
John "J.C." Charles Armstrong 89, Fountain, formerly of Goldsboro, N.C., passed away June 8, 2016, at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston, N.C.
Mr. Armstrong was the son of Missouri farmers, John Austin and Nettie Mae (Long) Armstrong.
The United States Army drafted him following his high school graduation in Paris, Mo., in 1945. Except for several years when he was employed repairing farm equipment in Center, Mo., he made the military his career.
He worked in aircraft maintenance until retiring from the United States Air Force in 1975, while stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, holding the rank of senior master sergeant.
Following retirement, he became a licensed contractor, starting the John C. Armstrong Construction Co., building custom homes and commercial buildings in the Goldsboro area.
He was president of the Homebuilders Association of Wayne County in 1984.
He helped organize the Alliance of Retired Military of North Carolina, serving as president, successfully lobbying to restore health care.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing and collected, and cut and polished gem stones to make jewelry.
One of his most satisfying accomplishments was completing his 1,243-page memoir with the assistance of his friend, Wanda Thigpen.
He and his first wife, Hedy, a Polish POW, were married for 38 years, and had three children. He was married to his second wife, Gloria, for 18 years.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judy Mae; his parents; and both of his wives.
He is survived by his daughter, Shirley Jean Perryman and husband, Lance, of Cary, N.C., his son, Edward John Armstrong of Singapore; sister, Dorothy (Leon) Parrish of Albuquerque, N.M.; brother, Clayton (Louise) of Paris, Mo.; brother, Carl (Erma Jean) Armstrong of Moberly, Mo.; granddaughters, Kristin (Jeff) Stuek of Morristown, N.J., Lyssa (Travis) Siffring of Morrisville, N.C., Sarah (Brandon) Holm and Katie (Justin) Powell; grandson, John (Jessica) Armstrong all of Fairbanks, Alaska; great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Harper (Stuek) of N.J., Charlie and Emily (Siffring) of North Carolina and Phoebe and Isla (Holm) and Riley and Katelyn (Powell) of Alaska; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He most recently attended University Church of Christ, 100 Crestline Blvd., Greenville, N.C., 27834, to which memorial gifts may be sent.
He will be buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Elon, N.C.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial service with military funeral honors to be held at a later date at Seymour Johnson AFB chapel in Goldsboro.
Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.
Condolences may be offered at www. richandthompson.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on June 10, 2016 1:49 PM