Elbert Aaron Armstrong

Elbert Aaron Armstrong, born June 1, 1923 in Walters Oklahoma, went to his eternal home on October 13, 2016 at the age of 93. His loving family was at his side. One of Al’s many one liners was “If I’d have known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.”

Al was one of six children of William and Mary Armstrong. Violet, Elbert, WC, Dolores, Pearl and Jimmy. The family lived in Alamosa Colorado working on farms when Al started school. Al loved school and did well especially in mathematics.

During the depression the family moved to Arvin California, where Al played football in high school. They called him “Bigin” because of his size.

His sole responsibility was to protect the quarterback. Team members would yell “take him out Bigin” and he usually did just that!

Al did so well in math and electronics in High School he caught the attention of a visiting Stanford Professor who taught a college level electronics class in Bakersfield. Al would ride his bike from Arvin to Bakersfield so he could take the professor’s class. His Professor quickly made Al his assistant.

In 1942 Al’s family moved across the street from the McMahon family. They had a daughter named Dee that caught Al’s eye. He asked her to attend his high school graduation, and she said yes, that was their first date. When he asked her out again she suggested that he attend church with her. Many of their dates were at church where Al heard the Gospel message and committed to the Lord and to Dee.

When Al turned 19 he received his draft notice. Al and Dee had talked about marriage, but Al wanted to wait until he returned from WWII where he served in the Army Signal Air Warning Radar Unit in New Guinea and later in Japan. Al and Dee were able to keep their commitment to one another through the Department of War Mail Service.

Once Al’s tour of duty was over he returned to his Sweetheart and Al and Dee were married March 2, 1946. For sixty-seven years Al called her the love of his life. When Al was asked the secret to a long and happy marriage he said you have to learn two important words, and mean them “Yes Dear”.

Al and Dee made their home in the Arvin and Bakersfield area where their two children Carol and Nathan were born. Al always said, “I have a musical family Dee plays the piano, Carol the Accordion, Nathan the Saxophone and I play the radio.” Al lived by the motto, “Live for today for tomorrow may never be mine.”

In the mid 50’s The Family moved to Oceano to help Dee’s Father start a church. Al worked as an electrician and after the church was up and going moved his family to Lompoc where he became the head electrician for Great Lakes Carbon, later bought out by Grefco.

After retiring from Grefco Al started his own Electrical Contracting Business - A & D Electric specializing in wiring custom homes throughout the central coast. God called Al and Dee to join the Assembly of God MAPS program where they traveled around the USA helping build and remodel churches. The last church they helped remodel was in Corcoran where God opened the door for them to buy a place and join the church family there.

Al is survived by his sister Pearl Walters, brother Jimmy Armstrong, daughter Carol Armstrong/Downs, his son Nathan Armstrong, four grandsons eight great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Delories (Dee) Armstrong, his father William Armstrong, mother Mary Armstrong Brubaker, 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.

Memorial Service officiated by Pastor Lloyd Rippey of New Hope Christian Fellowship Church in Corcoran, will be held at Joshua Memorial Park Mortuary 808 E Lancaster Blvd. Lancaster, CA

10/25/16 Tuesday 9:00am-10:00am Memorial Service

10/25/16 Tuesday at 12:30pm Burial Service with Military Honors at the Arvin/Bakersfield National Cemetery