Allen Howard Armstrong
Sunday, October 14, 2018, Allen Armstrong, surrounded by family and loved ones, lost his battle with cancer.
Allen (Al, Big Al, Grandpa Al, Bear, SoBear, Papa) was born at St. John’s Hospital in Helena, MT, to Jack and Edna Armstrong on January, 18, 1949. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and football. He played varsity football for Helena High his junior and senior years, graduating in 1968.
Upon graduation, Allen proudly joined the United States Army. He served proudly in the 815th Engineers Division in Pleiku, Vietnam, and later at the Tropic Test Center in the Panama Canal Zone. After being honorably discharged, Allen and a friend he had met in Panama spent six years traveling by ‘thumb’ throughout the West. Having satisfied his wanderlust, Allen returned to Helena and married Maryann Taylor in 1976 (the couple later divorced). He adopted Maryann’s son Tally Armstrong and the couple had two more children, Charles Armstrong & Jessica Armstrong.
Allen graduated from the Heavy Equipment Operation program at Missoula Vocational-Technical School June 16, 1977. He later was employed as a pipefitter at ASARCO in East Helena for 22 years.
Allen enjoyed wood working, Harley Davidson motorcycles, UTV rides in the mountains and spending time with family and friends. He participated in the Rolling Thunder Ride to Washington, DC, to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He also participated in many local veterans honor rides to commemorate the lives of servicemen and women who had proudly served our country.
Allen was passionate about his support of Alcoholics Anonymous, so much so, that it became a cornerstone of his life. He was known for his generous spirit and the many countless hours he spent volunteering for Toys for Tots and the volunteering at the local VA Hospital at Ft. Harrison.
Allen was a joy to those around him (with his own uniquely direct way of communicating). Allen touched the lives of so many people; he will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his brother Don (Bobby) Armstrong, Helena, MT; sister Georgianna LaPlant, Spanaway, WA; children Tally (Valerie) Armstrong, Clancy, MT; Jessica Armstrong (Robert Bird), Helena, MT; grandchildren Mark Matthews (Megan Brown), Spokane, WA; Christopher Armstrong (Jacquelyne), Augusta, GA; Johnathon Armstrong, Helena, MT; Kayci Armstrong, Kaydence Lingle, Montana City, MT; Saphrin Anderson, Helena, MT; Jozef Bird, Bozeman, MT; Ava Schwartzmiller, Butte, MT; and many other extended family members.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, October 22nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A graveside service with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Reception will follow the graveside in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials in Allen’s name be made to the POW/MIA here in Helena, P.O. Box 7693, Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Monday October 22, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Service
Monday October 22, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday October 22, 2018
Fort Harrison Service Club
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:00 a.m.
Monday October 22, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Service
Monday October 22, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday October 22, 2018
Fort Harrison Service Club
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Linda Streeter says
Sad to hear this will miss and luv ya uncle Al. Hugs
Vicki Hampson says
Oh Crazy Al, you will be missed so very much. Prayers to all who loved him. Thanks for the memories, most of them surrounded by your crazy sense of humor. Love, Mike & Vicki Hampson
TJ Reichert says
So sorry to hear of this. Allen was such a nice guy. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his loved ones.
T.J. Reichert & Family
Steve Koester says
Journey well on this next adventure Allen. I will see you soon, but not to soon. You will be missed by all.
Jay Reardon says
So sorry to hear about about “Big Al” I will always remember the great times we had working together at the smelter. Rest in peace my friend.
Michael McVeigh says
I met Allen when his family moved to Rimini, Montana in the 60’s. I became lifelong friends with his younger brother, Don and I always considered Allen to be my “older brother”. Then he went to Vietnam and we only saw him when he was on military leave and then after he was honorably discharged. We shared many good times while Allen lived in Wickes, Montana with his good friends, Lyle Martinson and “Fly” (Roger). I remember floating around a small lake in the mountains in a raft near Wickes while he and his band of brothers and their spouses were camped there, enjoying the Montana summer. Allen was always so passionate about his dedication to all his brothers and sisters who served in the U.S Armed Services as a volunteer at the Fort Harrison, Montana V.A. Center. He was a member of the Honor Guard that was involved with laying to rest all the veterans that were buried at The Montana Veterans Cemetery there. Every time I had an appointment or a treatment at The V.A Center, I would always stop by the volunteer desk located inside the front doors of the hospital so that I could visit Al and catch up on his life and what he had been doing lately. He always had good words for me and I will miss him sorely when I go there from now on. There are really so many memories I have of Allen, that are far too many to talk about here, but he will be missed by so many in Helena and all over the world. God rest your soul, my brother and may all the angels hold you in their arms forever.
Mary Westover says
Sorry to hear your last.
lila F garrick says
sorry about this loss. what a life! what a wonderful guy!
Eileen Morgan says
A big guy with a great big heart to match. You will be missed, but your example of generousity will li e on.
Judy Griffith says
Such a kind, generous and joyful man who will be missed. Blessings and comfort to his loved ones.