Kenneth Shelby Armstrong, M.A., Th.D., Ed.D.
Kenneth Shelby Armstrong of Fort Towson, Okla., was born on March 13, 1927 in Skedee, Okla., the son of the Rev. Ernest and Pearl (Morris) Armstrong. Kenneth passed away March 30, 2024, at the age of 97.
Kenneth was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, drafted into service in 1945 and scheduled to fight in the Battle of the Bulge until being rerouted to Japan after the war in Europe ended. He was one of the first U.S. soldiers to experience the devastation of the atomic bombs in both Nagasaki and Hiroshima. He lived a long, fruitful life that included: enrollment in all-black Atlanta University during segregation; a visit to the Congo during the 1960 massacres; being a government guest at a leper colony in Swaziland; a tour of Saigon in the early days of the Vietnam War; escape from Havana a week before Fidel Castro seized power; visiting the Amazon in Ecuador where seven American missionaries were killed by natives; and touring Israel after the Six-Day War. He was the guest of the South African government for a three-week, fact-finding mission and visited several black universities and hospitals.
A long-time minister and educator, he held a series of pastorates and assistant pastorates in Churches of the Nazarene across New Mexico, Kansas and Michigan, including Wichita First Church and Detroit First Church. He served as Vice-President of Pasadena College (now Point Loma University, Calif.), President of Owosso College, Owosso, Mich., and then became founder and President of John Wesley College, Owosso, Mich. Later he developed enterprises such as Total Health Inc., Independence Publishing Co., and KennethWrites.com of Fort Towson and Mentors and Associates of Fort Towson.
Kenneth is described by his son as a creative man, who rarely encountered a problem, desire or opportunity that he wasn’t able to deal with in a remarkably creative manner. As a preacher, he found ways to communicate the Gospel that his parishioners could utilize daily and remember for a lifetime. As an educator, he created institutions, structures and programs that improved people’s lives and their learning environment. As a father and husband, he built on the lessons and legacies of his parents in a creative way that continues to enrich his loved ones’ lives. As a writer he communicated simple and deeper truths in imaginative and persuasive ways. As a storyteller he was a creative genius. As a traveler he chose experiences which energized and challenged himself. As a child of God, he reflected to others the creative power and goodness found in his favorite scripture, Philippians 4:8. His creativity eventually led him to literature and poetry, and he was once recognized as poet of the year by the Oklahoma Poetry Society, a rare honor for a native-born Oklahoman.
Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Sherry Armstrong; son, Dr. Kenneth S. Armstrong, Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla.; daughter, Shelli Ronette Bromley and husband, Marvin Bromley of Grand Ledge, Mich.; grandchildren: Drew Merrill and wife, Kelsey of Grand Ledge, and Christopher Martin of Tallahassee; great-grandchildren: Fisher, Hamilton and Madeline Merrill; stepson, Dr. John Sloan IV of Broomfield, Colo.; his first wife and the mother of his children, with whom he shared more than 75 years of love and friendship, Betty Armstrong Lowe, age 97; brother, Del Armstrong, age 95 of Loganville, Ga.; sister, Teeny Allen, age 93, of Modesto, Calif., and the love of his life, his faithful friend and dog, Amiga, along with a host of friends and loved ones.
With family dispersed both nationally and internationally, no memorial service is being planned. However, Miller and Miller Funeral Home of Hugo advises that anyone wishing to pay respects to Dr. Armstrong and wife, Sherry may do so at his interment which will be held at Fort Towson Cemetery on Red Road. The date and time have not yet been determined but family and friends can text or call his wife, Sherry, at 903.715.1837 for details.
Arrangements are under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.
