Frank Armstrong III

Frank Armstrong III

October 31, 1936 - August 19, 2025

Frank Armstrong III, 88, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. He was born on October 31st, 1936, to the late Frank Armstrong Jr. and Margaret Tweltridge Armstrong.

Frank is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra Lineburg Armstrong, and their children: Katherine A. Smith (Randall) of Henrico, VA, and Frank Armstrong IV (Danielle) of Winchester, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Gretchen A. Redmond, of Winchester, VA; grandchildren: Blake Armstrong (Kathryn), Margaret Smith, Sarah Smith, and Hayden Armstrong; and great-granddaughter, Isabel Armstrong.

He was preceded in death by his sister, JoAnne Armstrong-Jones, and his brother, William T. Armstrong.

A proud graduate of John Handley High School, Frank lettered in football, basketball, and track. He was recognized as the JAA Outstanding Athlete of the 1950s decade, a member of the 1955 N.H.S. All-America Football Team, and was inducted into the 1991 JAA Hunter Maddex Hall of Fame. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He later served in the 2nd U.S. Army Missile Command.

After returning to Winchester, Frank joined the family business founded by his grandfather and ultimately retired as Chairman of the Board of National Fruit Product Co., Inc.

In his retirement, Frank enjoyed spending time in Hilton Head, S.C., where he relaxed with family and played plenty of golf. Frank found great joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren. He cherished lunch with his buddies, and keeping in touch with his many friends. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he faithfully followed the Washington football and UNC football and basketball teams.

Frank dedicated his life to the apple processing and manufacturing industries, leaving a lasting impact. He served as a Director of the National Food Processors Association and the Processed Apple Institute, and was a Founding Member and Chairman of the Apple Processors Association. He was also an Executive Member of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Past President of the Shenandoah Valley Manufacturers Association, the Virginia Manufacturers Association, and Virginia FREE.

He cared deeply about his community and was an active civic leader. Over the years, Frank served on the boards of Winchester Medical Center, Valley Health Systems, and Winchester Equipment. He was a director of F&M National Corporation and Chairman of the Shenandoah University Board of Trustees. A dedicated community leader, he served as president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, the Wayside Foundation for the Arts, and the Shenandoah Area Council of Scouting America. He was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award for his work with the Scouts. He was also honored with the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.

His leadership extended across Virginia, where he served on the boards of several organizations, including BB&T Bank, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, the Virginia College Fund, and the Radford University Board of Visitors. He was also Chairman of the Virginia Board of Conservation and Economic Development and sat on multiple Governor-appointed state boards.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester, VA, with Rev. Webster Gibson officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Lineburg, Randall Smith, Blake Armstrong, and Hayden Armstrong.

We will always picture him in his favorite spot on the porch, unwinding with a drink as he watched the evening birds against the setting sun. His life was built on a foundation of deep faith, and a boundless love for his family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made in Frank's honor to The Shenandoah Area Council of Scouting America (www.sacscouting.or) or Christ Episcopal Church (www.christchurchwinchester.org).