Virgil L. Armstrong

70, a retired draftsman passed away peacefully on August 27, 2014 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is survived by his son Zachary (Nicole) Armstrong, grandson Linus Armstrong, brother Lloyd Gale (Colleen) Armstrong, sister Dorothy (John) Polit, his loving companion Gwen Graves, and his former wife Jayne (Steve) McAden. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Ann.

Virgil Leon Armstrong was born in Pueblo, Colorado, on January 12, 1944, to parents Lloyd and Ann Armstrong. Virgil’s middle name, Leon, came from a jazz piano player in Pueblo that his parents liked. His first name was shared by his father's brother. A funny story is that he wasn't named right away. His dad was working and every time he came to the hospital his mom was sleeping. After a few days, his mom said “Shouldn’t we name the baby?” His dad said, “I thought we would name him after my brother.” His mom promptly went back to sleep before the conversation could continue and they could decide on a name. The next day his mom told his dad, “ His name is Virgil Leon.” HIs dad said, “Oh, I meant my brother , Fred.” Virgil has a half-sister, Dorothy, in California, and an older brother, Lloyd Gale, in Pueblo.

They lived in the same two-bedroom house in Pueblo his whole life. Virgil was said to be a sensitive child. But as he grew up in the neighborhood, he became tougher. He was in the first class to graduate from Pueblo East. the new high school, and to attend there all four years. He played football, track, swimming, and wrestling. He loved football, playing both offense and defense, and getting chosen for state.

He didn’t really know what to do after high school, but went one term to college in Pueblo, but partied and didn’t continue. Or they asked him to not to continue. He joined the National Guard and bartended. When his National Guard days were done, he moved to California and married Julia S. Vrain. He continued to bartend and attended college at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. He took drafting, something he had taken high school and had a liking for. He excelled at his classes, appreciating the education he received there. He graduated and was working for Texaco, drawing up new filling stations. He planned to go to Cal Poly Pomona for an architecture degree, but Julia and Virgil divorced and he moved back to Colorado.

While working at Western Filter Company in Commerce City, Colorado, he met Jayne Bolen and a few years later they were married in 1977. They bought their first house in Wheat Ridge and over the new few years, Virgil completely renovated that house. He changed jobs and began a 25 year career at Rocky Mountain Prestress. In 1985, Zachary Bolen Armstrong was born. Virgil and Jayne bought their second house in Wheat Ridge the next year and that is where Virgil stayed. Somewhere in there, Virgil became a Neil Diamond fan, and attended two of his concerts, one at Red Rocks and one at McNichols arena.

Virgil loved to challenged Zach to math questions at bedtime. They were very long and complicated equations with lots of twists and turns, ending with the answer being tomorrow’s date. No wonder Zach is a whiz at math. He has had a lot of practice. Virgil licked to watch cooking shows and try his hand at some of the recipes, but most of his famous dishes came from the Campbell Soup cookbook. Virgil had a sharp wit and a quick, but sarcastic, humor.

Virgil has done many home improvement projects and has drawn many sets of drawings for homes, offices, machines, and other projects. In recent year, he has even done some watercolors. Virgil has been blessed to have the companionship and friendship of Gwen for the last several years. They have taken a few trips since his retirement and prior to his failing health.

Virgil’s greatest joy was the pleasure of seeing the fine man that his son, Zach, has become. Virgil was proud to see Zach graduate from UNC with his BS and again with his masters. Zach married Nicole Sory five years ago and last year welcomed the birth of their baby boy, Linus Sory Armstrong. Linus has entertained Virgil and Virgil gave him his heart forever.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2014, 2pm, in the Pavilion of Reflection located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made in Virgil's name to the Denver Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 5206, Denver, CO 80217, or www.denverrescuemission.org.