Jimmy Brevard Armstrong Sr.

June 4, 1932 - July 27, 2021

Jimmy Brevard Armstrong Sr., 89, went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, surrounded by his family. He had just returned home from a family vacation in Hilton Head, S.C., enjoying each member to the fullest; reflecting on life and the great blessings God bestowed on him. He cherished every minute.

Preceding him in death, the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Laura Elfreed Shirley Armstrong, only 10 months ago, whom he cared for until her dying breath; a son, Rodney Anthony Armstrong, of Hickory; his parents, Arnold and Jardie Armstrong, Gastonia; and brothers, Larry and Don Armstrong, Gastonia.

He is survived by his work partner and son, Jim B. Armstrong Jr., (wife, Susan of Hickory); his only daughter, prayer partner and best buddy, Allyson Armstrong of Hickory; grandchildren, Jackie A. Grindstaff, (husband, Jodie of Hickory) and Aspen A. Brown, (husband, Jay) whom he was extremely proud of and enjoyed their families so much, Laura Armstrong Barnes, whom he thought walked on water, (husband, David of Hickory), Megan A. Benfield, whom made him banana pudding every week and he thought of her as the sweetest in the family, (husband, Michael of Hickory); great-grandchildren, Scout and Huckleberry Brown, Grayson Grindstaff, Landry Armstrong Barnes, twins, Lennox A., Georgia A. Barnes and Beau W. Benfield. He was blessed to hold, care for and be a mentor to every child, grandchild and great-grandchild, leaving each with his legacy and love.

Born June 4, 1932, in Gastonia, he won many bike races and boxing tournaments there as a child, He was a member of First Wesleyan Church, Gastonia, where he raised his family to love The Lord and he served as a Sunday School teacher.

He was a graduate of Ashley High School in Gastonia and attended Wake Forest University. He loved playing softball and played for Central Yarn and Dye and The U.S. Army as a catcher.

Mr. Armstrong served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Master Sargent. He was a member of St Luke's Methodist Church in Hickory, where he served on the board, a member of Lake Hickory and Statesville Country Clubs, where he served on the boards and played golf, winning many tournaments. He served as chairman of the board for Volkswagen and Subaru of America, where his input was used in designing vehicles.

He loved cars and was a very successful automobile dealer. He started selling used cars in Gastonia with his dad and brothers. He became a successful, Volkswagen, Fiat, Chrysler Plymouth, Toyota, Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Subaru dealer. He trained his son, Jim Jr., whom he worked with every day; his daughter, Allyson; and granddaughter, Laura to carry on his legacy in the automobile industry at Jim Armstrong Subaru Inc, His dream was to create a legacy for his family to be continued on after he was gone. To see his legacy carried on at the dealership by his son, daughter, and granddaughter brought tremendous joy to his heart, he was so proud! He started with himself and his wife expanding his hard work into a legacy that was a testimony, example and guide to anyone who knew him.

Mr. Armstrong was a mentor and friend to many he loved and called each one part of his family. Mike Abernethy, whom he trained from age 18, (wife, Dreama and Abbey), Ann Biggerstaff Dellinger, whom he loved as a daughter and who took care of him and Mrs. Armstrong, Steve and Hannah Austin and Rockie Clayton, who brought food to him every week for years, Morris Caldwell, Larry Fife and Fuchsia Hamby, employees who stayed with him from day 1 in Hickory. He loved all his employees and deeply appreciated their work and devotion to the dealerships. Jim cared for his wife during her ilIness showing devotion not seen by many, he prayed for everyone he could think of. His most important thought was going to heaven, to not miss eternity with Jesus and being reunited with his wife, family and friends. His desire was to live a clean life and be as close to Jesus as he could and it showed in his business, family and spiritual life. He was loved and admired by many people, past and present. He enjoyed watching his family enjoying life, soccer games with great grandchildren and especially showing horses with his daughter, Allyson. He played golf with his son, Jim Jr. and his wife, whom he taught to play. He was blessed by God and shared every blessing with his family and friends. He was the patriarch of his family, a legend, and one in a miIlion. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. A job well done my good and faithful servant, enjoy your rewards in Heaven!

Memorials can be made to the Diabetes Foundation or The Kidney Dialysis Foundation.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 31, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory with the Rev. Mitchell Boughman officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Armstrong will lie-in-state from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Jim Armstrong Jr., Jay Brown, Jody Grindstaff, Michael Benfield, Mike Abernethy and Morris Caldwell.

www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com