Obituary: Jack Hamilton Armstrong

April 14, 1931 – January 19, 2023

Jack Hamilton Armstrong, of Springville, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the age of 91.

Jack was born on April 14, 1931, to Verna (Gray) and Albert Armstrong of Springville. He graduated from Oolitic High School in 1949, and studied agricultural economics at Purdue University, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and serving as a valued member of the Purdue faculty. He was also proud of his military service in the Army. Jack married Alice Mae Bennett of Oolitic in 1953. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2013.

He is survived by his son Joe (Mary), daughters Kim (Ralph), Carey, and Carol, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, his parents, and brother Robert.

Jack spent most of his adult life in the Washington, D.C. area working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he advocated for farmer cooperatives nationwide with a particular focus on small rural communities. Jack was a lifelong athlete excelling in basketball in high school and college and thoroughly enjoyed golfing and sailing with family and friends. He traveled the world for work and fun and promoted his love of learning throughout his life. Jack spent his retirement years back home in Indiana on his beloved family farm; while it was not nearly the size and splendor of the original
homestead, it was “Darneara.”

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary, where military rites will be accorded by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lawrence County 4-H Scholarship Fund, 924 16th Street, Bedford, IN 47421.

Family and friends are welcome to express condolences at www.daycarter.com.