More detail on this person: Michael Robert
Armstrong of Jacksonville, FL, passed away
Thursday, June 2, 2016. He was born July 20, 1935
in Dixon, IL to Robert Lee and Fama Ruth (Allen)
Armstrong. Mike grew up in Oregon, IL where he
attended the Silica School (a one room country
school) and Oregon High School, class of 1953,
then went on to earn a degree in Industrial
Engineering from Bradley University in Peoria, IL.
He received his commission through the Air Force
ROTC program and entered active duty as a 2nd Lt.
in 1958. While in Pilot Training School in
Bainbridge, GA he met the love of his life,
Eleanor Parker. They were married in December of
1959. Mike served a year tour in Vietnam where he
was a Helicopter Gunship Instructor Pilot with the
20th Special Operations Squadron, The Green
Hornets. He was a Command Pilot with a career log
of over 4,100 hours of flight time in helicopters
and fixed wing aircraft and was awarded the Senior
Missileman Badge. His decorations include the
Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two
Meritorious Service Medals, Presidential Unit
Citation, eight Air Medals, two Air Force
Commendation Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry with Palm and seven Air Force
Outstanding Unit Awards, including four with Valor
device. He retired as a Lt. Colonel after 21 years
of service and began his second career of 19 years
as the Plant Engineer for Sikorsky Aircraft in
Jupiter, FL . He was a life member of several
organizations including Masonic Oregon, IL Lodge
420 AF & AM, the VFW, Oregon IL Post 8739,
NRA, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Air Force
Association, Special Operations Association,
Military Officers Association, NAUS (National
Assoc. for Uniformed Services), USAF Helicopter
Pilot Association. He also served as a Deacon and
Elder at First Presbyterian Church of North Palm
Beach, FL. While living in Jacksonville he was a
member of Mandarin Presbyterian Church where he
especially enjoyed participating in the
Pathfinders Sunday School class each week.
His greatest joy was spending time with his
Eleanor - RVing, "antiquing" and creating
beautiful quilts. They were happily married for 55
years years until, in November of 2014, Eleanor
lost her 17 year battle with breast cancer. Mike
had a huge heart and a generous spirit. He had a
deep, steadfast love for his family and he
especially loved being a grandfather. His life of
integrity, honor and faith has positively impacted
the lives of countless others and he will be
sorely missed. He is survived by his only
daughter, Delta Armstrong Kraus (Bob), three
grandchildren, Daniel, James and Lauren, and many
beloved nieces, nephews and extended relatives.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his
brother, Lee Allen Armstrong, and his wife,
Eleanor Parker Armstrong.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent in
memory of Michael Armstrong to Narcolepsy
Network 46 Union Drive, #A212 North Kingstown, RI
02852 or donate online at
http://www.narcolepsynetwork.org
Visitation will be held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on
Sunday, June 12, 2016 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral
Home of Mandarin. The funeral service will be held
at 11:30am on Monday, June 13, 2016 in Mandarin
Presbyterian Church, 2501 Loretto Road,
Jacksonville, FL 32223. Followed by the committal
service in Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083
Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of
Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801
San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223.
www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.
This information was last updated 06/07/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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