Harold Leo Armstrong

The family and extended family & friends of Leo take the assurance and peace that he is truly home with Our Father God and his dear wife Esther and son Jerry, and many other family and friends that he loved so well.

We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the love and support we have received from so many. We and Leo would want you to remember You are loved!

BIOGRAPHY:

*Born April 30, 1924 at home on the Armstrong Family farm in Oklahoma, outside of the town of Welch

*Leo was preceded in death by his parents Harold Allen Armstrong and Julia (Wilkins) Armstrong

*Leo's siblings in order of birth:

Helen (Schul) Armstrong - his special one and only sister, Helen Schul of Hutchison KS, is the only surviving sibling

Leonard Armstrong, his oldest brother, who preceded him in death several years ago

Howard Armstrong, his youngest brother, who preceded him in death in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge

*Harold Leo Armstrong was the baby of the family

*The Armstrong Family Farm had the first electric lights in the county!

*Educated in a one room schoolhouse which had been donated by Leo's father, Harold Allen Armstrong. It was located on a corner of the family farm

*Served in WWII, Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force as a radio operator on a B-17. He flew over the last Berlin, Germany mission

*Came to Los Angeles after the war and learned the plastering trade from his cousin Vern Lampson. He went on to work with other cousins and relatives in this trade.

He worked in this business during the early housing boom of the 1950's

*Was Engaged to Esther Adeline Swinney on January 11, 1949 and they wed on March 18, 1949 at the 1st Baptist Church in Burbank, CA, by minister Dr. B. A. McKeown

*Leo and Esther's Children:

January 20, 1950, 10 months later, their first son was born: Michael Harold Armstrong

May 4,1951, their second son was born: Jerald Allen Armstrong

November 25, 1956, their first daughter was born: Cheryl Lynne Armstrong

June 18, 1964, their second daughter was born: Carla Christine Armstrong

*Leo and Esther have 8 grandchildren (listed by order of their children):

Mike and Joy Armstrong: Michael Ryan, Samuel, Zachary

Jerry and Nancy Armstrong: Jessie (the only granddaughter)

Cheryl and Steve Childers: Kevin

Carla and David French: Dillon, Daniel, Dominic

*Leo and Esther were married approx 50 years, when their second son, Jerald Allen Armstrong suddenly flew up to heaven on January 29, 1999

*Leo and Esther celebrated 55 years of marriage. Esther preceded him in death on June 28, 2004, joining her beloved son Jerry

*Leo and Esther Armstrong are survived and dearly loved by brother in law's, sister in laws, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews, and "adopted family friends"

*Life profession: Owner of his own scaffolding business, Grunden Scaffolding

*Member of Burbank Foursquare Church for over 60 years

*Leo loved horses, horse trailers and horse racing! Also hunting fishing and fixing things, which included repairing and selling horse trailers.

Leo never lost his love of horses, and taught every family member horsemanship, including his grandchildren, nieces and nephews & their families and friends also

*Leo was a "mans man", an "old-school" cowboy, a prankster, hardworking man, determined and strong minded, yet very sensitive and loving too!

He loved to the fullest and the very most important thing to him on this earth was his family and extended family