John Wayne “Jack “Armstrong was born October 9,1932 to William and Eleta “McCauley” Armstrong at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. He was reunited with his Heavenly Father on October 8th, 2026 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, one day short of his 94th birthday.

Jack “Louie” was a proud member of the Sault High “Nifty” Class of 50, he was a member of the 1949-1950 Legendary District Champs Basketball Team vying against the Ispheming Hematites for the Great Lakes Conference Championship. Coach Van Sitters made his initial appearance as varsity basketball coach that year. Jack was one of the top 5 scorers with 106 points scored during that exciting season. As a senior Jack was both football and basketball team captain. Jack was the second to ever receive the Herman T Crane Trophy presented by the members of the 1913 football team to the senior boy who has made the most outstanding contributions to athletics. “Louie” was very active in varsity, B Team, and class basketball; team varsity and B Team class football, and in life saving and track. He was chosen to play first string end on the Upper Peninsula Football Team; the members of which were picked by Sports Writers.

He served his country in the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of corporal. After his military service, he was selected to try out for the NFL at the Baltimore Colts Training Camp. Due to a knee injury at training camp, his hopes for an NFL career ended.

After leaving the Army, Jack attended and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Northern Michigan University. Later he received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Eastern Michigan University. His first teaching job was in Brimley, Michigan. From there he taught in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for over 30 years. He taught

physical education, coached basketball and football and was an athletic director all at the same time.

In 1975 he married Louise (Heusel) Armstrong, who always said he was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and “that was it”. They just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this past May. His greatest joy in life was being a father to his sons, John and Tony, of whom he was intensely proud. He raised two wonderful men, always having Jack as their role model and mentor.

He loved working with and shaping the lives of his students. His students adored him and continued to stay in touch throughout his lifetime. Jack had the “knack”. They loved and respected him and wanted nothing more than to please him. Some of his favorite memories were those of the many famous University of Michigan football players, often the quarterbacks, who passed through his gym, as his student teachers.

Summers were always spent at the Armstrong Family Compound at Goulais River Ontario. Days were filled with the Armstrong Summer Olympics, boating and lots of fishing and nightly card games.

After his retirement, Jack moved back home to Upper Michigan to his Birch Point home in Brimley. In retirement, he taught at Sault Area High School, sold real estate for Smith and Griffin, and served on the board of the Sault Symphony. He was extremely active in his role as Council President at Faith Lutheran Church a position which he held for more than 12 years. Beginning in 2014, Jack and Louise became snowbirds residing in New Smyrna Beach, FL from November to the end of April.

Jack was a man who lived life to the fullest. He loved deeply and well. He did everything passionately and with great integrity and dignity. He was a quiet, humble, private man. A man of strong faith. He gave it his all. He will be missed.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eleta, his brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Pauline Armstrong. He is survived by his wife, Louise, his sons, John Wayne Armstrong II of Austin, Tx, Anthony Armstrong (Tracy) of Snohomish, Washington and his grandson, Benjamin Armstrong of Los Angeles, California.

Details for final funeral arrangements will be communicated at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given in Jack’s honor to the following: EUP Hospice House 308 West 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, 49783; Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park St, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 or the Chippewa County Animal Shelter at 3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783.