Samuel Thomas Armstrong Jr.

Samuel Thomas Armstrong, Jr., Captain, USN (ret), died on December 27, 2016. Sam was born on June 15, 1924 in Ennis, Texas, and grew up in Marshall, Texas. Shortly after his eighteenth birthday in 1942, Sam joined the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He received his wings and commission in Pensacola, Florida in August 1944, and served as a pilot in torpedo bomber and night fighter squadrons. In 1946 Sam received a regular Navy commission. He later received a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Navy Post Graduate School, and received an MS degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. In addition to sea duty tours flying attack and jet fighter aircraft, Sam served three years as a test pilot in the acceptance of new production F8U Crusader aircraft. He subsequently served as a fighter engineering officer on the staff of Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet. In later years, Sam served as Bureau of Aeronautics Program Manager for the development of the VFAX/ F-14 fighter aircraft. His final tour of duty in the Navy was as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Rework Facility in Alameda, California. Sam retired from the Navy in 1970.

Following his Navy retirement, Sam served as Vice President (cryogenics) with the Cosmodyne Corporation, and as Assistant Vice President (base maintenance) with American Airlines. In 1974, Sam took a civilian Navy position at the Naval Aviation Depot, Jacksonville, and served as Director of Engineering and later as Production Manager. He retired from Civil Service in 1988. Sam was an active member of the San Jose Episcopal Church serving as usher, lector, treasurer, junior warden, and senior warden. He was also a member of AF & AM Masonic Lodge #22 in Marshall, Texas.

Sam was preceded in death by his father and mother, Samuel Thomas and Susan Irene Armstrong Whitehurst; his sister, Shirley Cates; his son, William Thomas Armstrong; and his sweetheart and wife of more than sixty-six years, Mary Jane. Sam is survived by his brother, Gerald Rogers Armstrong; his daughter, Mary Karen Frey (Fred); his son, Samuel David Armstrong (Jody); his six grandchildren, Gregory Samuel Frey (Haley), John Daniel Frey, Jennifer Claire Armstrong, Rebecca Leigh Armstrong (Parker), Stian Arneson Armstrong, and Samuel David Armstrong, Jr.; his great-grandson, Samuel Vincent Frey; and cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sam always gave tremendous love, commitment, and support to his family, his country, his community, and his friends. He touched and enriched the lives of innumerable people with his generous giving of himself, his example of a life of sincerity and integrity, and his acts of kindness.

The Memorial Service will be held at the San Jose Episcopal Church, 7423 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217, on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 11:00 am. His ashes will be buried in Algoma Cemetery in Marshall, Texas, on a future date to be determined.

Arrangements under the care of Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or Meals-on-Wheels will be appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, Jacksonville, FL.