Keith Armstrong

Keith Reed Armstrong, 83 of Odessa, passed away at his home on May 31, 2011. Visitation will be Friday, June 3rd at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Celebration of Life services will be Saturday, June 4th at 2 p.m. at Westside Church of Christ in Midland with Gary Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa. Serving as pallbearers will be Ross Harmon, Andre Lyles, Terrell Boswell, Greg Jackson, Garland Childers and Raymond Young.

Keith was born on June 24, 1927 in Burkburnett, TX to Virgil and Laura Armstrong. He was raised in Wichita Falls and attended ACU. As a young man, he worked with his dad in the family business, The Turf Cafeteria. He joined the Merchant Marines in 1944 and was later drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during WWII as a rifle instructor. In 1948, he began his truck driving career where he lived in Denver, CO and later Los Angeles, CA. He met his bride, Winona Olive Fritts, at Parkhill Church of Christ in Denver. They were married on March 5, 1953.

In 1962, he moved his family to Odessa and opened Armstrongs AW Restaurant, which he operated for 20 years. Keith ran for political offices in the late 1960s. In 1983, he and his family opened Runway 7 Food Store, Caf Mobile Home Park. During this time, Keith drove a charter bus for All Aboard America to satisfy his love for driving big rigs. After the death of his beloved daughter, Rinda Lisa, in 1996, he retired and spent several years traveling the states with his wife. Being physically fit was especially important to him, so biking was always a big part of their journeys.

His devotion and love for the Lord showed in his later years by his daily early morning Bible studies and he was a member of Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ for many years. He enjoyed riding his Honda Goldwing trike, was a lifetime member of the NRA, and an avid hunter and fisherman.

Keith is preceded in death by his parents a sister, Gwendolyn Wannan and a daughter, Rinda Lisa.

Survivors include his wife, Winona Armstrong of Odessa daughter, Laura Elder and husband, Bill, of Midland daughter, Barbara Boswell and husband, Terry, of Azle daughter, Tami Bower and husband, Roger, of Midland five grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren sisters, Barbara Hoagland of Whittier, CA and Helen Johnson of Woodland Hills, CA and many friends.

Special thanks to the staff of Home Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in honor of Rinda or Keith Armstrong or to Home Hospice.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, June 3, 2011
68 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Westside Church of Christ
4410 W. Illinois
Midland, TX  79703
Saturday, June 4, 2011
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

P. O. Box 11454
Alexandria, VA  22312


516 N. Texas
Odessa, TX  79761