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Harold Armstrong
On Sept. 28, 2011, Harold E. Armstrong, age 79, Excelsior Springs, Mo., courageously lost his long battle with heart disease. His soulmate and wife, Barbara, was his steadfast companion through this long struggle which began in 1979.
Harold was born on April 22, 1932, in Richmond, Mo., to Merle Joseph (Jack) Armstrong and Bertha Dean (Allison) Armstrong. Upon graduation from Excelsior Springs High School in 1950, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War from 1951-54. From 1961 until his retirement, he worked as a serviceman and corrosion technician for the Gas Service Company. On Sept. 5, 1981, Harold and Barbara (Strobel) Armstrong were married; she survives of the home.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Gary (Red) Armstrong, Richmond, Mo. Other survivors include: daughter, Shana Emery, Camdenton, Mo.; sisters, Wilma (James R.) Sexton and Joyce (Dean) Bosley, Excelsior Springs; brother, Kenneth R. Armstrong, Gravois Mills, Mo.; and grandsons, Ian White, Springfield, Mo., and Mason White, Camdenton, Mo.
Harold’s close friends knew him as a kind, generous and gentle man who loved music, hunting, fishing, nature, historic places, books and a great cup of coffee. His storytelling ability brought a smile to many a face. He had a keen interest in politics and took pride in being known as a “yellow dog Democrat.” His interest in family genealogy led him to the discovery of his Cherokee heritage and that he was a Mayflower descendent. Harold was a member of the Baptist Church, the American Legion, the Missouri Archeological Society and the Friends of Arrow Rock. For many years Harold had participated in the living history Arrow Rock Fall Craft Festival and enjoyed volunteering in this historic village. His wish was to continue sharing Arrow Rock’s story of the Missouri frontier era. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Friends of Arrow Rock Inc., P.O. Box 124, Arrow Rock, MO 65320.
Cremation. Private celebration of life services will occur at a later time. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home in Excelsior Springs. Semper Fi was this veteran Marine’s lifelong motto.
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