Steven Frank Armstrong

Steven Frank Armstrong was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on April 19, 1954 to Oscar Frank Armstrong, Jr. and Carmelita Armstrong. Steve died June 26, 2025 at the age of 71. He grew up in Shawnee, except for a couple of years when his father’s job took the family to Tulsa and then Lake Charles, Louisiana. He and his sister, Laura, loved getting together with all the extended family at their grandmother’s house. Steve graduated from Shawnee High School in 1973. He also attended Seminole State College and Oklahoma City Community College.

During high school and shortly after, he worked at Sears, then went to work for Fred Jones Mfg for 28 years as a Quality Assurance Inspector. When Fred Jones Mfg shut their doors, he attended Gordon Cooper Technology Center and then went to work for Tinker AFB as a machinist. He retired from Tinker AFB in 2016.

In 1975, he met Lynell Cavitt just before she graduated from OBU. Steve and Lynell were married June 26, 1976 in a red, white, and blue bicentennial-themed ceremony at University Baptist Church in Shawnee. Steve and Lynell had a wonderful day together, celebrating their 49th anniversary before he died that evening.

In 1983, Steve and Lynell were blessed with a son, Clinton Frank Armstrong. Steve was a Scout leader during the time Clint was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He loved watching Clint learn new things in Scouts, as he had been in Scouting when he was a boy. Clint's earliest memories are of shoulder rides and walks on summertime Saturday mornings to the gas station for a newspaper and an Icee, learning to ride a bicycle, drives to watch him fly model airplanes while listening to James Taylor on the radio, Root Beer floats at A&W, weekend movies, lots of laughter, and the way he encouraged him to love music by playing his records and guitar at night.

Steve had many hobbies, including photography, flying model airplanes, playing guitar, bicycling, wood turning, and carving. Lynell always knew what new hobby he might undertake when a new magazine subscription began showing up about that particular hobby. He especially loved cycling and rode with the Pottawatomie County Peddlers. He treasured the friends he made in the bicycle club.

Steve had a great sense of humor and kept Lynell laughing throughout their marriage. They loved taking family trips together. One memorable trip was to Glacier National Park in Montana.

Steve loved and was so proud of his son, Clint, daughter-in-law, Leslie, and five grandchildren, whom they visited in Colorado just a few weeks ago. They will miss him pushing them on the swing, playing with them at the park, kayaking together, and watching them swim. Steve was a loving father and grandfather who cared deeply for his family.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Carmelita Armstrong and his grandparents Oscar Frank Armstrong, Sr and Rosa Ona Armstrong and Burvie and Emma Akins.

Those left to remember Steve and all the wonderful times we had with him are his wife, Lynell Armstrong, his son, Clint Armstrong, daughter-in-law, Leslie Armstrong, grandsons Leighton, Caedmon, Edric, and Paxton Armstrong, granddaughter Coppélia Armstrong, his sister, Laura J. Armstrong and by many beloved cousins and friends, including Tony Fitzgerald who was like a brother to him.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Holland and Dr. Todd Kliewer for their excellent and loving care.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Walker Funeral Service on Monday, July 7th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm with family present to greet friends from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. A funeral service, with closed casket, will be held at University Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 10:00 am with Justin Dunn officiating. He will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee.