John Armstrong

was born December 15, 1932, in Atalla, Alabama and passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2012. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, JoAnn; four children, Johnny, Jimmy (Lisa), Jeff Armstrong, and Joy (Steve) Barber. He leaves nine grandchildren, Bill (Kenna) Armstrong, Jami (Michael) Kellum, Mary Jo, Nicole, Joy, Jeffery Armstrong, Jessica, Steven (Renee) and Lauren Barber; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Gracie) and Murray (Dot) Armstrong; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Isaac Judson and Lillian Ray Armstrong; and brother, Isaac Judson Armstrong, Jr. He graduated from Woodlawn High School, Howard College, the University of Alabama, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He taught and coached for 53 years in the Birmingham/ Jefferson County area. He taught at Fairfield High School, Woodlawn High School, and E.B. Erwin High School. He was Jefferson County Coach of the Year in 1976-1977. He was head football coach at Samford University where he holds the second best winning percentage record since 1903. His record is second only to the record of Coach Bobby Bowden. He was assistant professor of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at Samford University for 32 years. He was president of the Kenny Morgan Scholarship Foundation Executive Committee. He helped organize the first Alabama Special Olympics in the state. He has been listed in "Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities." Two of his former Samford players who became high school coaches have won several Alabama High School State Football Championships. He was a charter member and lifetime Deacon of Carson Road Baptist Church where he taught the adult Sunday school class for 25 years and sang in the choir. He was currently a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. In June 2011 the John Lee Armstrong Scholarship Foundation was established at Samford University. The family requests that donations be made to this foundation in lieu of flowers. The university address is 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229. Services will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:00pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home with visitation starting at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Dr. Tom Cleveland will conduct the services. Pallbearers are John Dickinson, Frank Harmon, Wayland Elliott, Richard Wood, Larry Wilson, and J.T. Haywood. The honorary pallbearers are the members of the Kenny Morgan Scholarship Foundation Executive Committee. Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home directing.