Ray Thomas Armstrong's Obituary
Ray Thomas "Tom" Armstrong
Funeral services for Ray Thomas "Tom" Armstrong, 82, of Longview will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday, August 6, 2002 at Mobberly Baptist Church with Dr. Laney Johnson, Dr. Michael Godfrey, and Scott Shulik officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Monday evening, August 5, 2002 in the Chapel at the funeral home. Those unable to attend may sign a memorial book online at www.raderfh.com in the obituary section. Mr. Armstrong passed away on Saturday evening, August 3, 2002 in a Longview nursing facility.
Mr. Armstrong was born March 10, 1920 to Warren Crozier and Anna Luretta Rea Armstrong at their farm, seven miles north of Big Springs, Deuel County, Nebraska. He was the third living child of five. He attended a one-room school through eighth grade and then attended Big Springs Rural High School where he played basketball and baseball and was active in 4-H and community activities. During his childhood and youth, he was a member of the United Methodist Church, in Big Springs, Nebraska. Based on his achievements in 4-H, he was awarded a trip to Washington, D.C., to the National 4-H Congress and a four-year scholarship to the University of Nebraska, but he elected to stay on the farm to help his family during the years of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
Mr. Armstrong was drafted into the Army Medical Corp. and served his entire tour at Harmon General Hospital, which was located on the present site of LeTourneau University.
He married Martha Louise Wheeler on August 21, 1946 and they moved back to western Nebraska where their three daughters were born in Lewellen, Garden County, Nebraska. During these nine years they farmed and raised Registered Hereford Cattle and wheat. In 1954, they returned to Longview where he began his career as a commercial tire salesman, eventually working for all three major tire companies and winning many top salesman awards before his retirement in 1985. After retirement, he continued to embrace his favorite things: family, friends, flower gardening, and wood working. He was an active member of Mobberly Avenue Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.
Mr. Armstrong also was instrumental in promoting beef and cattle production and showmanship in Gregg County 4-H clubs. He received the top 4-H Leader Award at Texas A & M in 1963, and the Texas Youth Development Award in 1964. He was also the muscle and "gofer" for his wife and daughter during the 16 years they owned the Carriage Crowd in the Longview Mall.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who enjoyed being involved. Reminiscing over past years was the highlight of his life as his health failed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Wilma Mae Armstrong and Laura Bernice Damon and brother, Dean Arthur Armstrong. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha; daughters, Patricia Louise and husband Dr. Larry Rayburn Karrh of Plainview, Texas, Rhonda Susan and husband David L. Richards, and Linda Jeanine and husband Larry Joe DeArmon; seven grandchildren, Kristen DeAnne Karrh, Kevin Thomas and wife Jill Killion Karrh, Kara Kathryn and husband George Marc Powell, Rebekah Rene Richards, Paul Louis Richards, Lisa Jeanine and Lindsay Jennifer DeArmon; a sister, Mary Lanckriet of Julesburg, Co.; two great grandchildren, Samuel Thomas, and Jordan Mackenzie Karrh; many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be: Art Pierce, R.C. Renfro, Don McCarty, Richard Pollock, Bob Cain, and Billy Sorrells.
The family requests memorials be made in honor of Mr. Armstrong to: Mobberly Baptist Church, 625 East Loop 281, Longview, Texas 75605, or a charity of your choice.
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