John Riley Armel

John was born on April 4, 1935, in Topeka, Kansas, and was the third child of the late Lyle Oliver and Geraldine (Riley) Armel. John also lived in Lawrence and Holton, Kansas. At the age of 12, after the death of his father, John’s family moved to Washington, DC. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School where he was a stand-out wrestler. After graduation in 1953, John entered the United States Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Intrepid as an Electrician’s Mate for 2 years. He then used the GI Bill to attend Florida State University and was a member of FSU’s Gymnastics Team and the President of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. John graduated with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and his first job was as the manager of a hotel in Atlanta. After a year, John moved back to Washington DC to manage the Washington Plaza Hotel, but it was in Federal Law Enforcement that he made a career.

John joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and throughout his 23 year career with the ATF, his assignments included raiding moonshine stills on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and enforcing gun laws around Detroit, Michigan. He also worked as an instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. John’s career with ATF took the family from Washington, DC to Easton, Maryland, to Dearborn and Livonia, Michigan to Toledo, Ohio and eventually to Centreville, Virginia.

After moving to Northern Virginia, John met the love of his life, Lois. John and Lois had many years of adventure and together they built a home in Wintergreen. They traveled throughout Italy with good friends, toured Australia, including the outback where Lois’ son lived for several years, and cruised through the Caribbean and to Alaska. John and Lois vacationed with the family on the Outer Banks and at several Virginia Lakes, gambled at numerous casinos around the country, and savored fine dining, good wine, and the company of good friends and family whenever possible.

After retiring from ATF, John started a small business building decks and finishing basements before he and Lois moved to Wintergreen full time. On the Mountain, he played poker and golf nearly every week. John was a member of the Silver Oak Golf Club and consistently ranked as the player needing most improvement.

Throughout the years, John personally moved an extensive number of rocks and boulders by hand as he built a rock wall along their driveway at Wintergreen. He threatened bodily harm to anyone who hit the _______ (you can fill in the blank) wall with their vehicle.

John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many who will greatly miss him.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lois; his children, Kelley Armel Pearson, Tyler Scott Armel and wife Marsha. Additional survivors include, grandchildren, Thomas and Masen Armel, and his extended family Mike, Matt, and Mark Bartholomew and their wives and children.

The next time you enjoy a drink or a good meal, place a bet, drive a nail, or swing a golf club, think fondly of John and smile.