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Samuel B. Armstrong

Samuel B. Armstrong, 81, of Fort Wayne, IN, and having ties to Roanoke, IN, died Saturday morning, Feb. 11, 2017, at his home.

Mr. Armstrong graduated from Kokomo High School in 1953. He served in the Korean War with the United States Marine Corps and was recently selected as a participant in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

He spent most of his professional career in sales, working for Allen County Motors (Ford) for more than 30 years and receiving several honors and awards. He retired in 1999. He had previously worked as an executive placement manager for Brill Personnel Inc., in Fort Wayne.

He was a legacy member of the Lions Club and had made several trips to Honduras to assist surgeons providing optical care for those in need. He was instrumental in bringing over the Japanese rock garden from Fort Wayne’s sister city, Takaoka, Japan. He received the Jefferson Award for his outstanding contributions in community service.

He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 499, where he served as a board member and officer. He served in various local Republican Party positions and was involved with the Leader Dog for the Blind organization. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Roanoke.

He was born Aug. 18, 1935, in Tulsa, OK, to Leland Robertson and Helen White. He was adopted by Homer and Ramona Armstrong and grew up in Kokomo. He married Evelyn L. Henry on June 29, 1957, in Tipton, and she preceded him in death.

Survivors include four daughters, Michele (Michael) Bailey, Becky (C.J.) Graf and Lori (Tom) Gomez, all of Fort Wayne, and Beth (Dan) Garman, of Butler; two sons, Michael (Angela) Armstrong, of Columbia City, and Eric (Mickey) Armstrong, of Fort Worth, TX; two brothers, Bill (Karen) Robertson and Tom (Janet) Robertson, both of Putnam, OK; a sister, Kay (Fred) Finley, of El Cajon, CA; 16 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Calling is Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary service beginning at 3:30 p.m., at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 E. Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at 10 a.m., with calling one hour prior to Mass, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 641 N. Main St., Roanoke. Rev. Dale Bauman will officiate. A graveside service, with full military honors, will immediately follow at Catholic Cemetery, in Fort Wayne.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association at www.donatenow.heart.org, the Leader Dog School for the Blind at www.leaderdog.org or to Masses.