Carl Rolston Armstrong

Carl Rolston Armstrong, born to Franklin Daniel and Bannie Mason Armstrong (both deceased), went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2018 at the age of 90. Carl was born on September 20, 1927 in Seminole, Oklahoma, and moved to Colorado in 1936 with his parents and three sisters; Claudine Wilhite, Estelle Blaisdell (deceased), and Pearl Risenhoover (deceased). The Armstrong family put down roots in the East Pines in Cahone, Co. Carl attended elementary school at North School and graduated high school in Cortez, Co. in 1945. He helped out on the family farm until he joined the Navy on December 27, 1950 with three of his high school pals and all four served on the USS Helena 75 together. Aside from serving his country, Carl learned and loved the art of boxing while in the Navy. He was discharged in 1955 and returned home to his family. Shortly thereafter, Carl met and married the love of his life, Joyce Ann Wiman of Dolores, Co. and were married in 1955. They had three children; Grant, Greg, and Carla. Carl worked several jobs until he went to barber school in Denver in 1961 and set up shop on Main Street, Cortez Co. where he stayed until he retired in 2009. What Carl loved most was his family and his second love was rodeo and horses. He served as Chairman of the Ute Mtn. Roundup for over 30 years. He and Joyce attended the NFR for 25 years straight and they were a huge support to the rodeo and young people coming into rodeo. Carl and his horse Dishwasher are a bit of a local legend. Most people in the rodeo community remember the story of Carl going to buy his bride her first dishwasher and he came home with a horse, and of course they named him Dishwasher! Carl was a community minded man he served his community in whatever way he could. Carls picture could quite often be found in the Cortez Journal for his participation in community events. The Cortez Chamber named him Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1994 for support and leadership with the Roundup Rodeo and his work in building leadership in the communitys youth through rodeo, 4-H, Little League, and the Boy Scouts. Carl was also named the Elks Citizen of the Year. Carl is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Armstrong (Wiman), daughter Carla Armstrong (Michael Stevenson), son Grant Armstrong and his wife Roxane Armstrong, and Greg Armstrong and his wife Teresa Armstrong; five grandchildren; Rylie Blu Armstrong, Melissa Armstrong, Brandon Armstrong & wife Candi Armstrong, Hanna Armstrong and Emily Armstrong, Dustin Arney & his wife Rebekah. Carl also is survived by three great-grandchildren; Hudson Armstrong, Stetson Goodall, and Daniel Arney. Carl will be greatly missed by his family and community! Were pretty sure his reunion in Heaven was quite large and a horse named Dishwasher was there to welcome him Home! A celebration of Carls life will be held at the Cortez Cemetery on May 12 at 11:00 a.m.