Bernard Armstrong

Bernard James Armstrong died October 27, 2023 after a long struggle with dementia. He was born to Bill and Margaret Armstrong May 18, 1952. He was the fourth of six children. He grew up on a farm and ranch north of Otis, Colorado. His Mom and Dad were children of the Great Depression and his Dad was an Army supply sergeant in WWII. Growing up post WWII in the small farming community instilled great patriotism, pride in community and school spirit. Bern relished his Dad's war stories but he only heard them hiding around the corner listening to Bill and his war buddies reminiscing. Bern had a special place in his heart for his Mom and he would say that everything good in him was her doing. She cultivated in him a lifelong long love of reading. He was a walking, talking encyclopedia of many subjects particularly the Civil War and WWII. He admired Margaret's love of God and her dedication to her Catholic faith. Bern was a member of Saint Helena's Church in Fort Morgan. He had a special devotion to Saint Therese, the Little Flower and the Virgin Mary. He prayed the rosary unceasingly. Bern was the class clown and a master at turning a pun. His quick wit wasn't always appreciated by his teachers, but he did get a lot of laughs from his classmates. He was a natural born athlete. He won the 1965 Punt, Pass & Kick Competition in Washington County. His talent with the frisbee was admired by friends and family. He was particularly interested in martial arts and was a member of Professor Gary Dill's Jeet Kune Do Association. He graduated from Otis High School in 1970 and received an Associate Degree in radio broadcasting from Morgan Community College. Later he received an Associates of Arts with an emphasis in history. In the middle 70's he was News Director at KFTM. Several big stories he covered and was particularly proud of concerned the cattle mutilations happening in northeast Colorado and a kidnapping that began in Nebraska and ended on Highway 14 near Sterling. For 40 years Bern worked for Philip Roth at Central Auto Parts in Fort Morgan. Phil was Bern's mentor and idol. On January 23, 1971, in Garden Grove, California, Bernard married Judy Clayton, his childhood sweetheart and love of his life. They were married for 52 years and blessed with three children, Michael, Lori and James; six grandchildren, Jean, Alexander, William, Katy, Clayton and Ethan; and four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Maverick, Ella and Evelyn. Bern achieved 32 years of sobriety in Your Life Alcoholics Anonymous Group in Fort Morgan. He was fierce in his recovery and fierce in his love and respect for all people in recovery and those out struggling with their addiction. He is survived by his wife, Judy, his sons Michael (Debbie) Armstrong of Fort Collins, CO and James (Luci) Armstrong of Fort Morgan, CO, his sisters, Judy Dickens of Brush, CO, and Monica (Bruce) Chapman; his brothers, Mike Armstrong of Paxton, NE, Robert (Jan) Armstrong of Brush, CO, and Joe (Sandy) Armstrong of Grand Island, NE and his brother-in-law Jerry (Lola) Clayton of Greeley, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife's parents, his beloved daughter, Lori Armstrong, his sister-in-law, Sherry Amack and his brother-in-law, Sam Dickens. Bern had much love for his family and he was loved by them. His humor, his light and his love will be greatly missed. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 7th at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 10:00 AM followed by the memorial service at 10:30AM with burial in the Otis cemetery.