James Robert Armstrong

James Robert Armstrong ("Jim or Jim Bob"), 83, passed away on January 16, 2018. Jim was born on June 4, 1934, in Hocking County, Ohio to Charles Melvin Armstrong and Jeannette Alice (Strous) Armstrong, who preceded him in death. In 1952, Jim graduated from Laurelville High School and thereafter served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. In the late 1960s and early '70s, Jim ran a successful electrical business, Flash Electric. A few years later he founded a business that would become his life-long love of providing groceries to his community at a discount price. Established in 1973, Discount Grocery Outlet (originally known as Railroad Salvage) serviced the Pickaway County community for years, helping families stretch their grocery dollar. Jim was a businessman and loved the art of the deal, which translated into savings for his customers. In 1986, his daughter, Susan, joined him in this venture, and for over 31 years they worked side by side to sustain and grow the business. Jim was not one for flashiness or calling attention to himself. He believed in certain core values. He often told his daughters, "8 hours work for 8 hours pay," reminded them to "look people in the eye" when speaking, taught them to "call it like you see it," and shared that "poor people aren't bad people."

Jim is survived by his sister Sally Runkle of Circleville; daughters Melissa Lutz (Michael) and Susan Armstrong (Rod Driggs) both of Circleville; Vanessa Armstrong of Louisville, Kentucky; four grand-children and two great-grandchildren; and his life partner, Ruth Ann Detty. The family would like to thank Jim's many care-givers at Brown Memorial Home, where he happily resided in the assisted living unit. The family will hold a private ceremony and schedule a memorial service later in the year. Memorial contributions may be made to one of two places: The Circle Area Humane Society 185 Island Rd, Circleville, OH 43113 given his love of cats or Discount Grocery Outlet 900 S Pickaway St, Circleville, OH 43113 for community gift certificates to continue his passion of providing food for local families in need. Arrangements entrusted to Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger, Circleville.