HUDSON FALLS – David Edward Armstrong, 81 of Hudson Falls unexpectedly passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Glens Falls Hospital due to complications from hip surgery.
Born April 22, 1943, in Old Town, Missouri, he was the son of Van and Martha (Cozort) Armstrong. David was a devout Christian and a minister for over a decade, serving the Lord in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, and Tennessee.
David attended high school in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas and was a graduate of the Arkansas Career Development Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas where he learned typewriter repair in his first career. He moved the family to Memphis, Tennessee in 1981 where he graduated from the Memphis School of Preaching.
He was an extremely talented woodworker, painter, and often to his family’s dismay, comedian. His dry humor brought both befuddlement and hearty laughter to all family gatherings. David was an expert troublemaker and wisely guided his grandchildren through life with sage advice such as “study until the cows come home” despite there never being any cows that actually came home.
David was an accomplished guitarist, learning to play left-handed as a teenager, with Chet Atkins as his favorite musician, he could perfectly play everything in the Chet Atkins catalog through the last days of his life.
Later in life he developed a love of painting through watching the Bob Ross series on PBS. He became a prolific painter of landscapes which his family treasures.
David married Loretta Bacon of Independence, Missouri, the love of his life, on November 25, 1967, in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. David and Loretta celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary the week before his death.
He moved to Hudson Falls in February 2023 with his wife Loretta to live close to their daughter. David loved the beauty of the Adirondacks and Lake George, and while only here a short time, he was happiest around nature.
David was preceded in death by his father and mother, Van and Martha Armstrong of Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, and nine brothers and sisters, Jeanette Armstrong, Veneda Dillard, Nadine Smith, Geneva Smith, Cleatus Pete Armstrong, Cloyse Armstrong, Wilma Cherry, Elsie Holman, and an infant that died at birth.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Armstrong and three children. Jeffrey Wayne Wealand (Mair) of Phoenix, Arizona, Melissa Dawn Shea (Ken) of Hudson Falls, and David Edward Armstrong II (Michelle) of Hesston, Kansas.
David was grandfather to Robin Alyssa Atwood, Cairen Anne Marie Goree (Tracker), Jordan Dean Huntley (Coral), Brandy Marie Thomas (Bryndan), Austin Reed Sontag (Tayler), Tristan Michelle Armstrong, Hannah Hope Del Monte (Nic), David Riley Armstrong, Eleasah Joy Hatfield (Mat) and great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Marie Wright, Charlotte Kara Thomas, David Wyatt Armstrong, Mason Levi Wealand, Raylan Reed Sontag, Jireh Tarian Goree, Bennett Andrew Sontag, with another great-granddaughter on the way.
A celebration of David’s life will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Queensbury Church of Christ, 357 Aviation Road in Queensbury at 2pm.
My uncle Dave was a precious influence in both my life and my brother’s life. His faith gives comfort to any and all who know Christ. The memories of the times spent on grandma’s porch listening to him play guitar will be with me always. God bless all as you grieve.
So So sorry hear this and my and David left Wright together want young and I miss David long time
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Armstrongs passing. My thoughts and prayers go to Loretta and family. I am a better person to have met you all, and so enjoyed the visits I had with you. I will be forever “Your Secretary”.