Carl Armstrong

Carl Edwin Armstrong of Clovis, 68, passed away on December 4 of cardiac arrest.

Carl was born on September, 14, 1954 in Avoca, NY. He was preceded in death by father Erwin Armstrong, mother Laura Armstrong, both of Avoca, NY, and twin brother Ross Armstrong of Oakland, CA.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mona Lee Norman-Armstrong, daughter Georgina Ross Vernon and her husband Tyler Vernon and grandson William S. Vernon of Lubbock, TX, two siblings, Julie Muth of Brookfield, CT and John Armstrong of Avoca, NY.

Carl and Mona Lee called Clovis home for over 30 years.

After graduating from Avoca High School with honors, Carl received an appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, earning a civil engineering degree in 1976. After graduation, he served in the US Air Force, flying A-10 Thunderbolts in Europe from 1980-1992, where he received recognition for most hours flown in the A-10.

He was highly decorated for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal,Arial Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal for participating in Desert Storm’s Special United Nations Mission to secure the safety of the Kurdish Enclave, an honor of which he was particularly proud.

He was a graduate of the elite USAF Weapons School, where he represented three different squadrons.

He was assigned to the 509th Fighter Squadron as operations officer at Cannon Air Force Base in 1992, where he served until his retirement in 1996 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was proud of flying every year throughout his career.

He taught physics and chemistry at Clovis High School and Clovis Community College for 20 years. He was beloved by his students and maintained contact with many after they graduated.

About the turn of the century, Carl became interested in triathlons. He was a lifelong cyclist and runner. He added swimming to his repertoire and became an accomplished triathlete. He competed in hundreds of triathlons, including several Ironman distance races.

Carl’s remains will be interred at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe at 2:30 PM, May 1, 2023.