Gary Armstrong Sr.

It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of our beloved Gary Clayton Armstrong Sr. At the age of 82. He was born to Leo and Hazel Armstrong on Halloween day 1941. 

Gary was a graduate of Clarkston high school in 1959. He joined the coast guard with his brother Ronald and served 4 years. He was stationed in Charlevoix and assigned aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sundew. He met his sweetheart Hilda (Snooks) Bruce in Charlevoix and they were soon married. After serving in the Coast Guard, they decided to relocate to Oxford Michigan where he soon became a police officer for Oakland County. He served Oakland County for 33 years. He was a larger than life police officer and earned the nickname “Big Garloo” because of his strength and bravery. He was also a longtime and important member of Oakwood Community Church in Oxford.

He and his wife raised their 5 children in the Oxford area. He retired in 1993 at the age of 52 and was able to make his dream of owning a Belgian Draft house farm come true and he genuinely enjoyed every moment of it. In 1997 Gary and Hilda decided to come back to where it all began and bought themselves a home in Northern Michigan where he lived out the rest of his days. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. He will be so dearly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. 

Gary Clayton Armstrong Sr was preceded in death by both of his parents Leo and Hazel Armstrong, his brother Ronald Armstrong, his brother Larry Armstrong, his sister Barbara Dockery, his son Duffy Jay Armstrong, and his grandson Kyle Jay Armstrong. 

Gary was survived by his loving wife Hilda (Bruce) Armstrong, his sister Naomi Pannell (John), brother Randall Armstrong (Shawn), his sister Diane (Terry), his brother Richard (Kathy),sister in law Jean Armstrong, brother in law Coy Dockery ,his daughter Angie Brunk (Bob), son Theodore Armstrong (Alma), son Gary Armstrong Jr. (Cami), and daughter Beth Swenson (Ted). 

His grandchildren Jamie, Brian, Sara (Dave), Joshua, Alec (Caressa), Jake (Paige),Lillii, Jessica, Shane (Kate), Megan (Jean Pierre), Dalton (Katelyn), Leah (Tanner), Terry. 

Great grandchildren Destiny, Faith, Gabriel, Christian, Grace, Archer, Charlotte, Augustin, Madeline, Ivy, Ella, Sunday, and Nolie. 

There will not be any formal services at this time per Gary’s specific request. In lieu of flowers please forward donations to The Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Ellsworth.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ellsworth Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com