Life Story for Dan Armstrong
Dan described himself as “a not so great, but so very grateful, follower of Jesus”. On Monday February 11, 2019 at age 71, after a battle with cancer, he followed Jesus to “the place prepared for him”...his home in heaven. Dan was born January 27, 1948 in Spokane, Washington to parents Ivan Daniel and Donna Wilma (Young) Armstrong.
Dan is survived by his sweetheart of 50 years, Janice; their daughter Lisa Sosa of Hood River, Oregon and grandchildren Samuel, Manuel, Hannah, Isaac, and Jacob; their son Daniel Armstrong of Bingen, Washington and grandchildren Arrow, Jovie, and Finley; sisters Lani Bidgood of Surprise, Arizona and Sherri Barron of Klamath Falls, Oregon; step brother Murray Miller of Astoria, Oregon; and step father Dr. Rod Miller of Astoria, Oregon.
Dan and Jan met at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR which the U of O students dubbed “Jesus Tech”. Jan earned her PhT degree (put husband through) working to put Dan through his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Ordained in 1974 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dan began serving as the pastor of Mayfair Christian Church in Stockton, California at the young age of 25. He then entered active duty as a Protestant Chaplain for the United States Air Force in 1977.
Over the next 22 years Dan, Jan, Lisa and Daniel served God, country, and the amazing men and women of the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota; Tokyo, Japan; Thule, Greenland (very near the North Pole... 6 months of daylight, 6 months of darkness!); Washington DC; Spokane, Washington; San Bernardino, California; and St. Louis, Missouri. Over these years Jan earned her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist and worked teaching in public and private schools.
In 1999 Dan retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel. Dan and Jan moved to Hood River, OR where he served as pastor of Hood River Valley Christian Church for 5 years. Retiring from full time ministry in 2005, Dan served 6 years as interim pastor for churches in Silverton, Ione, Springfield, La Grande and Pendleton. Dan and Jan dearly loved traveling military space available flights (also known as “Anxiety Airlines”) to Hawaii, Alaska, England, Spain, Germany, and France. They also spent 17 wonderful years traveling in their truck and fifth wheel visiting nearly every state and national park on the west coast.
Their grandchildren called them “Fire Grandpa and Grandma” because of their love for campfires and s’mores. Dan wanted you to know he reached level 1251 in Candy Crush Saga and challenges you to “beat that”! He also thoroughly enjoyed golf...his favorite club being the foot wedge. Above all else, Dan loved Christ and His church, remaining active after retirement in lay ministry as a Sunday school teacher, home Bible Study leader, and elder at Hood River Alliance Church.
A worship and memorial service will be held Saturday March 2, 2019 at 11am at Hood River Alliance Church (2650 Montello Ave. Hood River, OR 97031), with lunch and Snickers Bars to follow. All are welcome to attend. Private interment with full military honors will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in memory of Dan Armstrong can be made to Hood River Alliance Church, C/O Anderson’s Tribute Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Dan is survived by his sweetheart of 50 years, Janice; their daughter Lisa Sosa of Hood River, Oregon and grandchildren Samuel, Manuel, Hannah, Isaac, and Jacob; their son Daniel Armstrong of Bingen, Washington and grandchildren Arrow, Jovie, and Finley; sisters Lani Bidgood of Surprise, Arizona and Sherri Barron of Klamath Falls, Oregon; step brother Murray Miller of Astoria, Oregon; and step father Dr. Rod Miller of Astoria, Oregon.
Dan and Jan met at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR which the U of O students dubbed “Jesus Tech”. Jan earned her PhT degree (put husband through) working to put Dan through his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Ordained in 1974 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dan began serving as the pastor of Mayfair Christian Church in Stockton, California at the young age of 25. He then entered active duty as a Protestant Chaplain for the United States Air Force in 1977.
Over the next 22 years Dan, Jan, Lisa and Daniel served God, country, and the amazing men and women of the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota; Tokyo, Japan; Thule, Greenland (very near the North Pole... 6 months of daylight, 6 months of darkness!); Washington DC; Spokane, Washington; San Bernardino, California; and St. Louis, Missouri. Over these years Jan earned her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist and worked teaching in public and private schools.
In 1999 Dan retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel. Dan and Jan moved to Hood River, OR where he served as pastor of Hood River Valley Christian Church for 5 years. Retiring from full time ministry in 2005, Dan served 6 years as interim pastor for churches in Silverton, Ione, Springfield, La Grande and Pendleton. Dan and Jan dearly loved traveling military space available flights (also known as “Anxiety Airlines”) to Hawaii, Alaska, England, Spain, Germany, and France. They also spent 17 wonderful years traveling in their truck and fifth wheel visiting nearly every state and national park on the west coast.
Their grandchildren called them “Fire Grandpa and Grandma” because of their love for campfires and s’mores. Dan wanted you to know he reached level 1251 in Candy Crush Saga and challenges you to “beat that”! He also thoroughly enjoyed golf...his favorite club being the foot wedge. Above all else, Dan loved Christ and His church, remaining active after retirement in lay ministry as a Sunday school teacher, home Bible Study leader, and elder at Hood River Alliance Church.
A worship and memorial service will be held Saturday March 2, 2019 at 11am at Hood River Alliance Church (2650 Montello Ave. Hood River, OR 97031), with lunch and Snickers Bars to follow. All are welcome to attend. Private interment with full military honors will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in memory of Dan Armstrong can be made to Hood River Alliance Church, C/O Anderson’s Tribute Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.