David Fred Armstrong

David Fred Armstrong, 86, of Billings, passed away on May 28, 2015, at home, due to natural causes. He was born in Havre on July 7, 1928, to Donald and Elin (Kraftenberg) Armstrong. Born and raised in Havre, he married Catherine Grace Schend on June 3, 1950. He worked for the Great Northern and BNSF Railroads. His career with the railroad took him from Havre to Klamath Falls, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; Great Falls; Livingston; and finally to Billings, where he retired in 1986. He was a Captain in the Army National Guard, receiving his honorable discharge in 1981, as well as a life member of the Elks of Billings, Eagles of Havre and the Lions Club, also serving as District Governor of Montana. He dedicated his time after retirement to the Lions Club and had just received his 50-year Lifetime Achievement Award with the Lions Club. He made many lifelong friends through the Lions Pin Swap Meets, traveling across the U.S., and also to Hong Kong, China, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. He also volunteered with the Billings Clinic and enjoyed a good game of golf. Survivors include children Arla of Evans, Colo., Emma (Ron) Evanson, Robert, Gwen and Byron (Andrea) of Billings; grandchildren Katie Brooks, Joe (Anna) Brooks, Kristin (Kyle) Donoven, Wiley Ray and Marissa Henthorn; great-grandchildren Lance and Latrell McCutcheon, Kai Brooks and Grace Donoven; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, in 2003; sisters Delores (Jim) Farley, Lillian Kaleva; and brother Bill Armstrong. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 1, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., Billings. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery in Havre, on June 2. Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Billings Clinic, Sweetwater Retirement Community and Rocky Mountain Hospice for taking care of Dad these past four months. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.