Saving The Old Rustbucket--My 1982 FJ40 Tale

[billmc]

Lee, I just stumbled across this thread this evening and read the whole thing though only to find that your dad has passed away. I'm really sorry for your loss.

My deepest commiserations,
Bill

 

[DSRTRDR]

Dear MUD friends,

I wanted you all to know that Army passed away in Oklahoma City early this morning. The old warrior gave it the good fight but ultimately it was too much, even for him. He was 91.

I'll write more about him later but at this time I'm not finding the words. He was one of those tough guys you thought would be around forever. At least we know that he's at peace now, and with my Mom.

Know that my family and I appreciate the many kind PM's, emails, and MUD posts from each of you during his recent illness. I feel as though many of you came to know Army through the earlier chapters in this tale, although I doubt I was able to do him justice. He was truly a remarkable person in more ways than I could possibly describe. When you think of the Greatest Generation, of grit and courage, that was Army. He will be missed, more than I can say.

Lee

sending my condolences

[my mother died a few months ago ]

 

[meatloaf]

Lee,

Sorry to hear about your dad's passing. You and your family are in our prayers.

Luis

 

[skidplate]

God bless Army and your family, and I pray that your family will be comforted. I lost my dad in 1996, he was a flight engineer on a PBY Catalina and had just started advanced flight training in the SNJ when the war ended. Knowing my dad, he's probably talking Naval aviation with Army about now.

 

[jmdaniel]

Very sorry to read of your Dad's passing, Lee. A week ago, I was back in Minnesota, at the funeral of my best friend's father, also a veteran, and who had died at the age of 92. That truly was the Greatest Generation, and the world is poorer as they leave us.

 

[coinoperated40]

From Me and mine

to

You and yours
​

Peace to all
​

Shane, Pam, Amy, Allen, Gabe, Renee, Samantha, Julia, Beckham, Ruth, and Elon @ 95 years old.​

 

[69 Spring Green]

Sorry to hear Lee. I'm sure he's happy to be with your Mom again. Glad you were able to be with him during this time.

 

[Heirloom]

My condolences. It was clear from the stories that the two of you had a strong relationship.

 

[mmw68]

Lee,
Iam sorry to hear about your father, let me know if you need anything done here in Ausitn. -Mark

 

[wesintl]

Sorry to hear the loss of army God bless

 

[NOR CAL CRUISER]

Lee, I'm so sorry to hear about Army passing. I dread the day I lose my father
I am suffering along with you as I just lost the one and only grandmother I have ever known on feb 25th.
My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sincerely,Ben

 

[Sea Knight]

Army's Passing

MUD Friends:

As you all know, my Dad passed away on Tuesday of this week. I'll eventually get around to thanking each of you individually for your many PM's, posts to this thread, calls and emails, both before and since his death. To say they were appreciated would be an understatement. l read most of your posts to Army up to the day before he passed, and want you to know that he was humbled and honored by your comments. For now, things are still chaotic here, and a blanket thank you will have to do.

We bid farewell to my Dad yesterday on a beautiful Spring afternoon. The old warrior was buried with military honors provided by a detachment of soldiers from Fort Sill. I wasn't aware until they showed up, but the Army provides a full honor guard for WWII vets, including riflemen and a bugler who played taps at the conclusion of the service. Several of his old friends, all WWII vets themselves, filed by his casket at the grave site, stopped and saluted. I've never seen anything like it. It was very moving, and I know my Dad would have been honored.

Over the past few months many of you have asked specific questions about Army's background, particularly his military service. Rather than try to remember and answer them all individually, I'll just offer the short version of his obit. I've seen obituaries posted in MUD before, but always in chat. I realize this is 40 tech, but Army's obit seems to belong in this thread so I hope it passes muster with those in charge. Thanks again for all the moral support. With any luck, I'll make it to Katemcy and see some of you there.

Lee

Cleston Lee "Army" Armstrong
September 17, 1920--February 28, 2012​

God's finger touched him, and he slept.
--Alfred Lord Tennyson​

Cleston Lee "Army" Armstrong passed from this life in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. He was 91. Army was born September 17, 1920 on his uncle's farm near Ellisville, Mississippi. He grew up hard during the depths of the Great Depression, but even as a young man, Army had big dreams and the determination to make them come true. In 1939 he graduated as Valedictorian from Jones County High School, and in 1941 he earned an Associate of Arts degree from Jones County Junior College. Army was Valedictorian of his junior college class, as well as editor of the college newspaper and yearbook, and president of the literary society. Army aspired to be a college professor, and continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi, majoring in English Literature. His plan was derailed in December of 1941, near the end of his first semester at Southern Miss, when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Without hesitation Army answered his country's call. He completed his final exams, withdrew from school, and joined the U.S. Army.​

After basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Army was assigned to the Ordnance Corps and sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for advanced weapons training. While in Maryland, in January of 1942, Army married his college sweetheart in the Johns Hopkins University chapel. Immediately following their wedding, he was shipped to North Africa where he participated in campaigns against General Rommel's forces in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Following victory in North Africa, Army participated in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, including the liberation of Rome. After VE Day in 1945, Army departed Naples and traveled by sea to the Philippines, where he served with American occupation forces on the island of Luzon. For his combat service in North Africa and Italy, Army was awarded three Bronze Stars for valor, along with a number of U.S. and foreign decorations. In 1946 he was discharged from active duty and returned to his wife, and life as a civilian.​

Army began his career with the Gulf Oil Corporation as a seismographer at their field office in Laurel Mississippi. After being transferred to Shreveport, Army took advantage of the GI Bill to complete his bachelor's degree in Petroleum Geology from Centenary College of Louisiana, graduating magna cum laude in 1953. After graduation Army completed a geology internship with Gulf, then began his new position as a petroleum geologist. His professional career would eventually span five decades and included stops in Louisiana, West Virginia, Kansas, Texas, and finally Oklahoma City. Along the way Army earned a master's degree in geophysics from the University of Kansas, and received numerous awards and professional recognitions from Gulf and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Army was legendary in the petroleum industry long before the days of computer assisted exploration, and it was rumored that Gulf would not drill a well without first receiving his approval. By the end of his career he was responsible for managing Gulf's oil and gas exploration activities for the Southern and Southwestern United States. In 1983, after almost 38 years of service, Army retired as Gulf's Chief Regional Geologist.​

Even in retirement, Army was never a man of leisure. He had many interests and was rarely idle. Army was fluent in French, a voracious reader, expert photographer, an amateur Creole chef, master carpenter, shade tree mechanic, and a highly regarded biblical scholar. He was generous with his time and talents in his church and in his community, and was usually the first to volunteer when a friend or neighbor needed assistance. Above all else, Army was a loving husband and devoted father who never tired of hearing about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.​

Husband, father, and proud patriot, Army cast a giant shadow. We shall miss him dearly but find comfort in these words from Revelations:​

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
​

RIP Army​

 

[wngrog]

Totally awesome man. Thanks for sharing. :USA:

 

[taro]

What an inspirational and beautiful eulogy. My condolences for your loss. And with all due respect, here's to a life lived incredibly To Army.

 

[lordbater]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Like many others, I'm hooked on the story. Another Austin 40 guy turned me on to this thread and drug me out of the 80-Tech section..

Andrew

 

[yooper]

Wow. Thanks for posting the obit. Quite a man; makes me feel small.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Truly humbled what a great man thank you for sharing a little bit of army with me. Prayers are with your family at this time

 

[Copenhagen1]

Well done, good and faithful servant.

What a great legacy to leave his family....a lifetime of honor.

 

[fireflyr]

What an amazing history. Such accomplishment from a truly humble man. I can only imagine what he thought of our present day crop of politicians.

Thanks for sharing his story with us. It sounds like he was the type of man that never saw obstacles in front of him, only the possibilities that a challenge presented. I think we can all learn something from that.

 

[lostmarbles]

What an inspirational and beautiful eulogy. My condolences for your loss. And with all due respect, here's to a life lived incredibly To Army.

Well said!