Alfred Olen Armstrong, 92, of Doe Hill, Virginia, passed away Jan. 7, 2026, at his home, where he was born and raised.
He was born Oct. 19, 1933, a son of the late William Mason and Edna Frances (Stogdale) Armstrong.
In 1954 Mr. Armstrong joined the U.S. Army where he served in Austria, Italy and Germany, and was in the reserves until 1962.
A man of many trades, he traveled all over Virginia and West Virginia shearing sheep and roofing. He even won first place in the statewide sheep shearing contest and second place in the National contest in Chicago, Illinois.
Additionally, he served on many county and civic organizations throughout the years.
In the late evenings a person would find him picking his banjo or reading a book. On weekends when he wasn’t working on his farm, he would be riding his horses in the mountains. He was also proud of his “coyote tree” where he would display coyotes that would no longer harm his animals. He took great pride in hosting Grandpa Jones from HeeHaw during a turkey hunt on Jack Mountain. Above all, he enjoyed teaching his family and friends how to work with their hands.
On Aug. 24, 1957, he married Shirley Ruth (Nichols) Armstrong.
Together they had eight children, Michael “Mike” Armstrong and wife, Georgeanne, Kenneth Armstrong, Scotty Armstrong and wife, Sherry, and Penny Armstrong, all of Doe Hill, Virginia, Pam Lassle and husband, Dan of Terry, Montana, Robin Gumm and friend, Jim Hiner of Monterey, Virginia, Becky Rexrode of Verona, Virginia, and Larry Armstrong of McDowell, Virginia; a brother, Joe Armstrong of Bridgewater, Virginia; 15 grandchildren, Casey Thaler, Cody Armstrong, Kristen King, Tracy Rhodes, Timmy Armstrong, Nathan Lassle, Jordan Lassle, Brad Gumm, Lindsey Gumm, Tyler Rexrode, Lucas Rexrode, Stephanie Armstrong, Dillon Armstrong, Bryan Armstrong, and Colby Armstrong; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Robert Lassle; three sons-in-law, Charles “Duke” Rexrode, Darrell “Junior” Gumm, Jr. and Steve Gallagher; and a daughter-in-law, Joan “Joanie” Heavenrich; a brother, William “Bill” Armstong; a sister, Ethel A. Garber; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Armstrong and Betty Armstrong.
A funeral service was held Monday at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell, Virginia, with Rev. Andre Crummett officiating. Burial followed in Doe Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his grandsons Casey Thaler, Brad Gumm, Lucas Rexrode, Bryan Armstrong, Timmy Armstrong, Tyler Rexrode, Colby Armstrong, and Cayden Warner.
Memorial contributions may be mailed to Doe Hill Cemetery, c/o Delbert Rexrode, 527 Windrush Lane, Doe Hill, VA 24433.
Condolences and memories may be shared to the family at www.obaughfuneralhome.com.
