Gary Armstrong

Gary Lewis Armstrong, 80, formerly of Mediapolis, passed away on Nov. 7, 2025. He died at home from a sudden heart attack while in the arms of his beloved wife of 47 years, Kathryn.

Born on March 14, 1945, in Waterloo, to Alvin and Wanda, Gary grew up with a deep love of sports. At Hudson High School, he excelled as a quarterback in football, a pitcher and shortstop in baseball, and a standout on the basketball court before graduating in 1963.

His passion for athletics followed him throughout his life and into fatherhood, where he proudly cheered on his children at Mediapolis High School.

He especially loved telling stories about his son Brody's thrilling 2012 football season and Class 2A State Championship appearance - and would often follow it up with tales of his own undefeated football season back in '62.

After earning his Master's in School Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970, Gary began a lifelong career supporting children's academic, social, and emotional development.

He served as a school psychologist in Marshalltown, Dubuque, northeastern Colorado, and later at the Great Prairie Area Education Agency (formerly AEA 16). He also spent two years counseling at Centennial Mental Health in Colorado, where he fondly recalled leading Wilderness Experience camping trips with at-risk middle schoolers in the Rocky Mountains.

It was in Dubuque that Gary met Kathryn, and the two fell quickly and deeply in love - becoming engaged after just seven months of dating. They went on to share nearly five decades of marriage filled with laughter, adventure, and (mostly) unwavering devotion.

Outside of work and family, Gary was a man of many hobbies and passions. He was an avid golfer, frequently at Flint Hills Golf Course. In retirement, he was known to play 36 holes in a day (on foot!). He was a big Hawkeye fan, watching countless games.

He loved being outdoors - whether hiking at Starr's Cave and North Gorge Trail, or, in his later years, wandering the Arizona wilderness. Gary was also a lover of music. Self-taught on guitar, he enjoyed writing songs and jamming to CCR, The Animals, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and other '60s and '70s folk and rock favorites.

Gary was a man of faith. He loved Jesus and cared deeply for others, his family, his pets, and even the birds that visited his feeder. In his final years, he fulfilled a longtime dream by moving to Arizona with Kathy, embracing the "dry heat," open skies, and beautiful desert terrain.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Wanda Armstrong; his brother, Alvin Jr.; his sister, Vivian; and his grandson, Brandon.

He is survived by his treasured wife Kathryn, who cared for him until the end; his children, Tom, Crystal, and Brody; and grandchildren, Nora, Greyson, and Brooklyn. He is also survived by his brothers Bob and Randy, along with a long list of loved ones including Stacy, Amy, Dehlia, Amanda, Nichole, Brock, Denny, Alex, Anthony, Jackson, and Ryan Lewis.

Gary's preference was always to keep things simple and easy, so no service will be held. His remains will be cremated, and his ashes scattered in the Arizona mountains he loved so much - his final resting place in the great outdoors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any local food bank in Gary's honor.