Harold Armstrong

HAROLD ARMSTRONG

Bonita Springs, Fla.

Harold Francis "Hal" Armstrong, 85, of Bonita Springs, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Hal was born March 16, 1929, in Medora, Ill., to the late Harry Young and Ethel (Milby) Armstrong. He had resided in the Bonita Springs area for the past three years. His love for southwest Florida started when he first arrived in 1985 and had been a resident off and on ever since. Hal graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor in business degree and spent his entire career in retail management for the Sears and Roebuck Co., until he retired. In his retirement, Hal incorporated his love and passion for horses into a second career. He joined the American Quarter Horse Association and for the next 25 years, rode, showed, raised and judged many horse shows around the United States, including the Youth World Show and the AQHA World Show, winning many awards along the way.

Hal's survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 18 years, Donna; two sons, David Warren (Sue) Armstrong of Atlanta, Ga., and Andrew John (Catherine Boyd) Stamper of Austin, Texas; three daughters, Susan Janet (John Michael) Ryan of Naples, Fla., Christina Marie (Lance Bedgood) Heisman of Houston, Texas, and Rebecca Louise (Michael) Williamson of Canton, Ga.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Hal was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet (Hemphill) Armstrong; and his sister, Harriett Jeanne (Armstrong) Renfrow.

Hal was a true gentleman with a kind word and a firm handshake to everyone he met. To those who knew and loved him he will truly be missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 25, at Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Bonita Springs, Fla.

The family would like to thank Avow Hospice and Juniper Village for their care of Hal and his family during this time.