Obituary: Armstrong, Donald Eugene
Age 67
ARMSTRONG, Donald Eugene
“Don” (Age 67)
Of Spirit Lake, Idaho, passed away October 7, 2012, in his sleep.
He was born March 5, 1945 to Jim and Elsie Armstrong, on an Army base in South Carolina, the youngest of two boys.
The family moved to Oregon and Don spent his youth in the town of Huntington, where he graduated from high school.
After attending Treasure Valley Community College, Don graduated from Eastern Oregon University with an English degree and teaching certificate.
He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Idaho.
Don began his career as an English teacher and then advanced to school administration.
Don married Janice “Jan” Armstrong in 1967.
They were married for 44 happy years, starting out in Huntington and Florence, Oregon and then moved to North Idaho in 1975.
Don and Jan had two children: Amy Jo, in 1972, and Aaron James “A.
J.”
in 1975.
The children spent their youth in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where Don was the Principal for six years and Superintendent for three years.
In 1984, the family moved to Potlatch, Idaho.
Don served as the Superintendent of Potlatch schools for eighteen years until his retirement.
After his retirement, he consulted for the Troy and Kamiah School Districts.
Throughout his career, he was a leader of several professional organizations, including the Districts I and II Boards of Control and the Youth Endowment Board of Directors.
Don served on the Board of the Idaho High School Activities Association, and helped with the IHSAA State Track meet every year through 2012.
He was inducted into the IHSAA’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
Don enjoyed the communities of Bonners Ferry and Potlatch and had many friends there.
In 2009, the Armstrongs moved to Spirit Lake, Idaho, into a house built by their son A. J.
Don and Jan loved camping and spent many weekends with their kids at a rustic cabin near the Moyie River.
Don also loved fishing and cooking for family and friends.
Don met his grandchildren for breakfast every weekend.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Jan, in January 2012.
He is survived by his daughter, Amy Avery, and grandchildren Hannah and Carson of Spokane Valley; son A. J. and daughter-in-law Kathy and grandson Paden of Post Falls; brother Jim and sister-in-law Elaine in The Dalles, Oregon, as well as his late wife’s extended family.
Following Don’s wishes, we will not have a formal service.
The family invites all of Don’s friends and colleagues to join them in a memorial dinner at the Princeton Community Center from 1 - 4pm on Saturday, November 3rd.
Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. YATES FUNERAL HOME, COEUR D’ALENE, ID.