Irving Armstrong

Obituary of Irving W. Armstrong

Irving "The Jinx" Armstrong was the first born of Byron and Florence Armstrong, born on October 26, 1929.

He was educated through The NYC Public School System, graduating from Commercial High School, where his interests were cosmetic dentistry and playing the clarinet. Irving broadened his musical horizons in 1948 when he joined the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at Ellingsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and assigned to the Air Force Band. Towards the latter part of his four year enlistment, he was then assigned to the 99th Pursuit Squadron, better known as the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen. Upon his discharge he was employed by Brooklyn New York's Cumberland Hospital as an Ambulance Driver, the Forerunner To Today’s New York City Emergency Medical Service. The passion for driving captured Irving, and he transitioned to becoming a Greyhound Tour Bus Driver. During his tenure at Greyhound, he became one of Greyhound's top driving instructors. when teaching bus drivers became too routine, Irving joined his two family members in the NYPD, becoming an Evidence Property Control Officer. This new career challenge kept him close to all three of his closest Armstrong family members. With the call of retirement upon him, Irving left New York City and landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was too full of energy not work, so he joined The Florida Agriculture Department as an Inspector. Irving's NYPD skills were put to work helping to inspect the orange groves. Irving moved to Davenport, Florida, where he worked as an Airport Shuttle Bus driver until he took on the task for the safety of school children by joining the Polk County Sheriff's Department as a School Safety Crossing Guard. This would be his final employment before he fully retired. During his many professional careers, Irving was able to become a Mason, ascending to Master of the Widow Sons Lodge #11 in Brooklyn, NY. In his early years, he made multiple trips to Trinidad Carnivals with the Twin Jacks Social Club. He loved a good "FET". He visited various other Caribean countries and traveled world wide via his never ending appetite for Holland America Cruises. Irving departed to join the Ancestors on May 29, 2023.

He is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey and Claude, grandchildren Briana, Alicia and Thomas, brother RIchard, daughter in laws, Laura and Doris, daughters Karen and Donna, Judge Pam Jackson-Brown, Polk County Sheriff's Department colleagues, and many extended family and friends.

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Friday
9
June

Recieving Friends

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, June 9, 2023
Oak Ridge Funeral Care
1001 Grace Avenue
Haines City, Florida, United States
863 422 3933
Friday
9
June

Funeral Service

12:00 pm
Friday, June 9, 2023
Oak Ridge Funeral Care
1001 Grace Avenue
Haines City, Florida, United States
8634223933
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