John Russell Armstrong, 80, of Emory, Texas went home to meet his Heavenly Father on November 30, 2010. Johnʼs home-going celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 4 at the Lake Fork Baptist Church with pastors David Smith and Perry Crisp officiating. A visitation time will follow the service. The family will have a private burial at a later time.

John R. Armstrong was born May 22, 1930 to Archie A. “Heck” and Elsie Kirk Armstrong. He served in the US Army until 1953 and earned his BBA in Finance from East Texas State Teacherʼs College (now Texas A&M University - Commerce) in 1956.

He married Nelba L. Grayson on August 25,1956. He graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in 1963. John was a lifelong banker, receiving his 50-year pin on May 14, 1999.

During his banking career, he served as Chairman of the Board of three different banks in northeast Texas and was currently serving as the Chairman of the Holding Company for The First National Bank of Emory. He served as a Board of Regent of East Texas State University from 1990 - 1996 and was serving as Chairman of the Board when the decision was made to become part of the Texas A&M System. On September 25, 2010, he received his 50-year Masons Service Recognition award.

He loved to golf, fish, take motorhome trips, fly his plane, and spend time with his family and friends. He loved God and his Lake Fork Baptist family and served faithfully as a member and Deacon.

He is survived by Nelba, his wife of 54 years, a daughter Lannette Armstrong Beaver and her husband Steve Beaver of Emory, a son J. Russell Armstrong and his wife Lee Armstrong of Commerce, grandchildren Ryan Beaver of Austin, Cody Beaver of Emory, Brin Beaver of Waco, Matthew and Rachel Armstrong of Waco, sister-in-law Frances Armstrong of Sulphur Springs, and his aunt Elizabeth “Sis” Williams of Emory. He is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased in death by his parents, a brother Billy Ray Armstrong, and a sister Patsy Gordon and her husband RL Gordon.

Memorials may be made to the Lake Fork Baptist Church, Alba, Texas, First Baptist Church of Emory, Texas or First Baptist Church of Commerce, Texas.