Carol Jesse Armstrong

Carol J. Armstrong, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, January 31, 2022. He was born in Austin on August 20, 1931, to William and Dora Palmquist Armstrong. He was very proud of his Austin roots and had fond memories of growing up at a time when you knew all your neighbors and people watched out for each other.

Carol graduated from Austin High School in 1950, and married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Conn Armstrong, in 1951 at St Austin’s Catholic Church. They grew up within blocks of each other and met as young kids on the playground of Bailey Park. The Park played an important role in their lives and served as the central meeting place for friends from childhood through high school. Carol and Carol remained close with their Bailey Park family.

Carol J. joined the US Army and served during the Korean War from 1951-53. Honoring and celebrating Veterans became a valued part of his life in his later years.

Carol will be remembered for his kindness, humility and deep love of family, service to others, storytelling and quiet wit. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Billy Armstrong and wife Gina, Larry Armstrong and wife Lisa, Patty Roberts and husband David, Ronny Armstrong and wife Valerie, Jimmy Armstrong and wife Denise. Carol was blessed with 17 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren, and truly adored every moment spent with them.

Carol was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Carol Conn Armstrong, grandson Jason Armstrong, sister Lillian Armstrong Mahoney, brothers Bob Armstrong and Ernest Armstrong. He is survived by brothers Tommy Armstrong and wife Deane of Cedar Park, and Marvin Armstrong and wife Gloria of Corpus Christi.

Carol had a long career in retail sales and management with most of his experience in the paint business. He worked for many years at Bradford Paint Company which included an art gallery in downtown Austin, assisting such notable clients as Lady Bird Johnson, and retired from Arrow Paint & Supply Company. He was an active member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and the Rotary Club of Austin.

Upon retirement, Carol volunteered as head of maintenance at St. Albert the Great Church, and enjoyed many friendships made as a member of the Great Club. He also took up gardening, wood working and the guitar. He loved blue grass music and endeared himself to a few local artists who would occasionally allow him to “play a few chords” when performing at local events.

In 2016, Carol was fortunate to be included on Honor Flight Austin’s trip to Washington, DC, for senior veterans to visit the military memorials. It was a life-changing experience for him and soon he was passionately recruiting other veterans to make this trip. In appreciation for his efforts and service to other veterans, he was named the Korea War Ambassador for Honor Flight Austin in August 2021, with special recognition by former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The family would like to thank the devoted staff at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House for their incredible care and compassion.

Services will be held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 12041 Bittern Hollow, Austin, TX 78758, on Thursday, February 10, with visitation at 9:30 a.m., and funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Honor Flight Austin (www.honorflightaustin.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Armstrong family.