Fred R. Armstrong, 76, of Ingram, Texas, passed away of cardiovascular disease, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at the Peterson Regional Medical Center.He was born Sept. 11, 1932, in Hutchinson, Kan., to James and Zula Key Andrews Armstrong. Fred lived in and went to school in Hutchinson until June of 1948, when his Mother married Bill Nelson and they moved to Harrisburg, Neb. While there, he went to school and worked for several local ranchers before joining the United States Navy in 1950 until 1954 aboard, as he so fondly called her, “The old bucket of bolts,” the USS Hopewell. After his discharge, he returned to Harrisburg, working for several of the ranchers again, moving on to Denver a year or so later, and working around there before moving on to Helena, Mont., where he met and married Isabel Hamlin, April 5, 1963. She brought with her to this union nine children ranging in age from the oldest, a daughter 16, and the rest all boys, the youngest being 2 years old. Fred embraced these kids and treated them as his own from that day forward. His last words and thoughts were of his kids and wanted me to look out for them!He had been a peace officer, animal control officer, truck driver, salesman, and his last job he liked to be called a “bookie.” He took books from the Chino Valley, Ariz., library to the Prescott, Ariz., library and brought books back three times a week.He was a life member of the VFW, DAV and member of the American Legion Post 208 in Kerrville, Texas.Survivors include his stepfather, Bill Nelson; sister, Joyce Nelson of Gering, Neb.; daughter, Earlene Dowler and husband, Jack, of Bismarck, N.D.; daughter-in-law, Peggy Armstrong of Longmont, Colo.; sons, John Hamlin and wife, Tayra, of Tucson, Ariz., Gary Hamlin of Helena, Mont., Marty Hamlin and wife, Carolyn, of Casper, Wyo., Mark Hamlin and wife, Judy, of Tucson, Ariz., Tony Hamlin and Dave Armstrong of Casper, Wyo.; best friend and constant companion, Linda Royal of Ingram, Texas; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; an aunt, Layna of Hutchinson, Kan.; one niece; two nephews; and several cousins.He was preceded in death by his mother; sons, Charles “Butch” Hamlin of California and Terry Armstrong of Longmont, Colo.; sisters, Joann Neal of Dinosaur, Colo., and Rita Kraus of Scottsbluff, Neb.We would like to thank the girls and guy at the VA Home Health unit of the VA Hospital for all the fine care they gave Fred while he was in their care.Services will be held in Casper, Wyo., at the Oregon Trail VA Memorial Cemetery at 2 p.m., July 17, 2009, with a family gathering afterwards to be announced later.In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to International Essential Tremor Foundation, P.O. Box 14005, Lenexa, KS 66285-4005 or the charity of ones choice in Fred’s name.Fred, you have left a big hole in our hearts that will never completely heal, we will always LOVE and MISS YOU!