Elbert Aaron Armstrong, 93, went to his eternal home peacefully October 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California with his loving family by his side.
He was born June 1, 1923 in Walters, Oklahoma to William Jennings Bryan Armstrong and Mary Armstrong. Al’s family moved to Arvin, California when he was a teenager and it was there he graduated high school and met his sweetheart. At 19, he received his draft notice and served in the Army Signal Air Warning Radar Unit in New Guinea and later in Japan. Upon finishing his tour of duty Al returned home to his sweetheart.
On March 2, 1946, Al and Dee were married in Arvin, California, and for sixty-seven years Al called her the love of his life. They made their home in the Arvin and Bakersfield area where their two children, Carol and Nathan were born. Al worked as an electrician and in the 50’s the family moved to Oceano, California to help Dee’s father start a church. In the 60’s Al moved his family to Lompoc, California where he became the head electrician for Great Lakes Carbon until his retirement. The family joined the Assembly of God Church there in Lompoc, where Al served 30 years faithfully helping build their new church, serving as deacon, and a teacher with a heart for missions. Al joined the Light for the Lost and traveled to many countries including China, India and Russia taking bibles and sharing God’s love. Al was a Godly example and an inspiration for his family and all that knew him. He had a quick wit and sense of humor. Al was loved and honored by all who knew him.
Al had started his own Electrical Contracting Business upon retiring from Grefco when God called him to join the Assembly of God MAPS program. For many years Al and Dee traveled around the USA helping build and remodel churches. The last church Al helped remodel was in Corcoran where God opened the door for Al and Dee to buy a home and join the church family there.
Al is survived by his daughter, Carol Armstrong/Downs; son, Nathan Armstrong; his sister, Pearl Walters; brother, Jimmy Armstrong; four grandsons; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.
Al was preceded in death by his wife, Delories Byrl Armstrong; his father, William Jennings Bryan Armstrong; mother, Mary Frances Armstrong; sister, Violet Ashworth; sister, Dolores Webb and brother, WC Armstrong. He will be greatly missed by his family and by all the lives he blessed along life’s way.
A memorial service officiated by Pastor Lloyd Rippey of New Hope Fellowship Church in Corcoran, was held at Joshua Memorial park Mortuary, 808 E. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 at 9 a.m. and a burial service with military honors at 12:30 p.m. at the Arvin/Bakersfield National Cemetery.
A memorial service officiated by Pastor Lloyd Rippey was held at New Hope Fellowship Church in Corcoran in honor of Elbert (Al) Armstrong on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10:40 a.m.
