Byron A. Armstrong, 98

Byron A. Armstrong, 98, passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell.

He was born Oct. 23, 1912, in Heyworth, Ill., to Andrew and Hazel (Jackson) Armstrong.

Byron’s family moved to Montana in 1915, farming in various areas near Glasgow. The family moved to Glasgow in 1929, where Byron graduated from high school in 1930. Following graduation he attended college for two years, one year at the Billings Polytechnic in Billings and one year at Oregon State College in Corvallis, Ore.

Returning to Glasgow, Byron married Florence E. Gamas on Sept. 2, 1934.

Byron first worked for the Fort Peck Engineer District and then for the Glasgow Post Office. He started as a carrier and retired in 1971 as Assistant Post Master.

On September 16, 1940, Byron was inducted into federal military service with the Montana National Guard. He was a member of Company G, 163rd Infantry. His World War II service included two training periods in Australia, combat in New Guinea, the Schouten Islands and the Philippines. During his war service, Byron was promoted from 2nd lieutenant through the ranks to the rank of lieutenant colonel. At that time, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry.

His decorations and citations included the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Following the war, Byron remained active in the Montana National Guard until he resigned in March 1959. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as secretary for several years. He was also active in St. Raphael’s Parish.

In 1987, Byron and his wife, Florence, decided to move to Kalispell to be near their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. The next 24 years were busy ones, taking in the grandchildren’s many activities and taking several bus tours with their favorite driver, Cy Mace.

When Byron became homebound, he really enjoyed the many visits from an old army friend, Buck Torstenson, and visits and phone calls from his grandchildren made his day.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings; and one infant granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Darwin and Barbara of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Marleen and Tracy of Kalispell; six grandchildren, Tim and Laurie of Spokane, Pat and Susan of Keller, Texas, Tracey and Roger of Spokane, Joseph and Maria of Wilsonville, Ore., Kelly and Jim of Vancouver, Wash., and Christina and Matt of Tuscon, Ariz.; and 11 great-grandchildren. Byron is also survived by four siblings, Lewis Armstrong of Missoula, Bert Armstrong and Florence of Boise, Idaho, Helen Turnquist of Bozeman, and Marge McDonald of Bozeman; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial for Byron will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. There will be a viewing from 8 to 10 a.m. prior to the service, and burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s School, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

The family wishes to thank the Prestige staff and Frontier Hospice for their loving care.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Byron’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Byron’s tribute wall.