Van Alstyne, Texas -- Lt. Col. James B. Armstrong, 90, of Van Alstyne, Texas died January 22, 2014. He was born March 2, 1923 at Kampsville, Illinois the son of James Russell Armstrong and Leta May Angelo Armstrong. He married the late Dortha Beltz of Wood River, Illinois in 1944. Armstrong attended High School at Pleasant Hill, Illinois and attended college at Western Illinois of Macomb, Illinois, Shurtliff College of Alton, Illinois and obtained a BS degree in Geological Engineering from St. Louis University, St Louis, Missouri.

Lt. Col. Armstrong served his country with military service in the United States Marine Corp. He entered military service in November 1942, attended the United States Naval Flight program, upon completion of his pilot training he accepted an officers commission in the United States Marines. He served in the South Pacific, China and Japan during WWII. He also participated in the recovery of North China immediately after WWII. He served in the Korean conflict as a fighter pilot and aerial observation coordinator.

Armstrong was recipient of a number of awards and medals including two Distinguished Flying Crosses and six Air Medals. He served as Commanding officer of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-111 during 1963 & 1964. He attained the rank of Lt. Col. And retired in 1965. In 1965 he joined Texas Instruments of Dallas, Texas as Chief Pilot of the Company’s Aviation interests. He later became Director of Aviation and was involved in providing corporate executive air transportation worldwide. He retired from Texas Instruments in 1983 and moved to his ranch, Pecan Acres in Van Alstyne, Texas.

In 2010 he married Dorothy Sable Armstrong and returned to Dallas.

Lt. Col. James B. Armstrong is survived by his wife, Dorothy Sable Armstrong of Dallas, Texas. Sister, Joyce Bomke of Jacksonville, Illinois. Sister in-law, Doris Armstrong of Pleasant Hill, Illinois. Several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Neil Armstrong.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Van Alstyne. 206 S Waco Street. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The burial will be Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11:15 a.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas with Full Military Honors.  A special thanks is given for our loving caregivers, Shun McGill and Shelia Tidwell.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Marine Military Academy of Harlingen, Texas at 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, Texas  78550. Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home, 637 W Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne, Texas. 903-482-5225. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com