W. E. "Gene" Armstrong

W. E. (Gene) Armstrong stepped into the arms of Jesus in the early morning on Monday, June 27, 2022 at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland. Texas. He was greeted in heaven by his wife, Sandra Schwalbe Armstrong, who he was married to for 58 years, his parents Clarence and Opal Armstrong, and his sister, Barbara Armstrong Smith.

His funeral service will be held Saturday, July 2, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Jal, New Mexico at 10:00 Mountain time, with burial following at the Jal Cemetery.

He is survived by his daughter: Starla Kay Armstrong Russell and son-in-law Scott, of Midland, TX and his son: W. E. (Goose) ArmstrongII and his girlfriend Sandy Milford of Jal, NM; Grandchildren: Stephanie Erin Jeter of Fredericksburg, TX, Belinda Kay Armstrong Garza (Ram) of San Angelo, TX, Bradi Jean Armstrong Burchard (Haden) of San Angelo, TX, and Haley Elizabeth Russell of San Angelo, TX; Great Grandchildren, Avery Laissle, Sydney Laissle, Witten Garza, Olivia Burchard, Walker Garza, and Sunni Burchard.; His sister Kay Armstrong Cadenhead of League City, TX and his lady friend:, Reta Alley of Ruidoso, NM, and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was born in Putnam, TX on May 22, 1934 and moved to Jal with his family in 1937. He went to Jal Public Schools where he graduated with the Class of 1952. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea. He attended college for a year and went to work for El Paso Natural Gas. Through the years he developed into quite the entrepreneur, operating the Dairy Mart in Ft. Stockton, owning Gene's Shell Service in Jal, Armstrong Pumping in Jal, and Tora Oil & Gas in Jal with Goose.

Gene led an extremely adventurous life. He rode bareback broncs in his early years, raced speed boats, waterskied barefoot, snow skied, and flew various war birds for the Commemorative Air Force where he was a member since 1979. He and Sandra flew all over the USA reenacting the bombing of Pearl Harbor with the "Tora" group. He was the Wing Leader of the New Mexico and West Texas Wings, served on the General Staff, and was inducted into the CAF Hall of Fame. He flew in the movie "Pearl Harbor" and "Letters from Iwo Jima". He was a Jal City Council member and was on the Hospital Board for many years. He was instrumental in the planning of the Jal lake where there is a plaque in his name. He welded the Cowboy silhouettes North of Jal. He was known by family and friends as "Mr. Jal". One of his many hobbies was to greet every guest that came to stay in the RV park at Jal lake and give them a tour of Jal. He was known to take them to lunch at the Senior Center and even give them clothing when they needed it. He often bought donuts and took them all over Jal giving them away one donut at a time. Gene never met a stranger and was known to everyone as "Daddy Gene". He told "stories" to everyone that would listen.

He loved his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids with a passion. He was so proud of all their accomplishments and often bragged on them to everyone he knew. He has left a hole in the hearts of his family and the many friends he made all over the world. He is now "flying high with clear skies and tailwinds". Until we meet again Daddy Gene.

For Donations send to The Commemorative Air Force in Midland, TX or to the First United Methodist Church in Jal, NM.