Daniel Armstrong

1946 - 2022

Daniel Armstrong



The world lost a luminous giant. Daniel Rayburn Armstrong died peacefully on August 4, 2022. "Dan," or "Danny" to cousins, was born in Plainview, Texas on October 20, 1946, to Welcom and Ruth Armstrong, née Kingery. Dan was always happy to recount stories of growing up in Carrizozo, New Mexico, which included helping to run the family-owned Yucca Cafe, attending countless community dances, catching and selling rattlesnakes from the nearby Malpais and how he and his brothers could rarely get away with much as they were the only redheads in town.

Besides inspiring countless people in his life with his words of wisdom, Dan was also an inspiration through his personal accomplishments. He was named the 1964 New Mexico Class C Lineman of the Year and was a National Merit commended scholar. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran and served as a "Seabee."

Dan graduated from the University of New Mexico and became a professional engineer, which led him and his two brothers to start a commercial development and construction company together.

Friends and family will miss his quick wit, distinctive and infectious laugh, pragmatic nature and his impromptu diagrams and explanations scribbled on the back of napkins. Dan was a committed father and devoted husband who enjoyed football, learning new things and staying up to date with current events, even though he was quick to admit the "funnies" were the first part of the paper he read every morning.

Dan is survived by his wife Glenda Armstrong, née Ellison, brothers John Armstrong of Santa Fe and Gary Armstrong and wife Julie Armstrong, née Aden of Albuquerque and sister Virginia Morrison, née Armstrong of Wausau, Wisconsin.

Dan never missed an opportunity to brag about his children, daughter Krista Armstrong of New York, son Daniel Armstrong II and wife Claire Armstrong, née Durbin of Albuquerque, daughter Sarah Armstrong and husband Andrew Lyman of Albuquerque and daughter Amanda Tapia, née Armstrong and husband Adrian Tapia of Albuquerque.

Dan often rhetorically asked Glenda, "How did we get so lucky?" or simply declared, "We're lucky, lucky, people," when referring to his seven grandchildren Stella, Daniel III (Hyde), John Henry (Jack), Jude, Griffin, Sullivan and Adrian.

Dan was also blessed with many nieces, nephews and cousins who he loved dearly.

But it was anyone who knew Dan, "Daddy" or "Grandaddy" who are truly the "Lucky, lucky people."

Anyone who would like to pay their respects or learn more about the yet-to-be-planned celebration of Dan's life can email

armstrong.memorial2022@gmail.com.