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Oct. 29, 1936 – Feb. 16, 2015

NATCHEZ — Services for George W. Armstrong III, 78, who died peacefully Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, in New Preston, Conn., will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. A reception will follow at Linden.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

Mr. Armstrong was born Oct. 29, 1936, in Mexico City, Mexico, the son of Allen and Melody Armstrong.

The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, then to Natchez. George attended Culver Military Academy where he was a member of the Black Horse Troop and the polo team, then Natchez High School.

He attended the University of Virginia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and also played polo. He was king of the Pilgrimage Garden Club’s 1959 royal court for the historic Natchez Tableaux. He later attended the University of Madrid in Spain and Texas Christian University. He also served in the Naval Reserve.

George was married to Sally Mitchell from 1959 to 1985, and they lived and raised their family in Fort Worth, where he worked at Texas Steel, a company founded by his grandfather. He was on the board of directors of Texas Steel and Therma Foam Company. He was a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Saint John’s Episcopal Church and River Crest Country Club.

George was a supporter of the arts in Fort Worth and was active in politics, especially the civil rights movement. He was a wonderful storyteller, loved to play the piano and had a beautiful bass voice.

George returned to Natchez in 1986, where he restored a historic home and enjoyed attending Trinity Episcopal Church, where he had been an acolyte and choir member as a child. He moved to the Northeast after a serious head injury. Despite the frustrations of his condition, he radiated good will and deep affection to all.

Survivors include two daughters, Christine Armstrong and husband, Ben Nickoll, of New Preston and Sara Richardson and husband, Rocky, of Fort Worth; two sons, Jack Armstrong and wife, Carmen Khan, of West Chester, Pa., and Paul Armstrong of Astoria, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Michael Armstrong, Sophie Nickoll, Emily Armstrong, Teddy Richardson and George Nickoll; one sister, Melody Bradford of Weatherford, Texas; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Jewel Charity in Fort Worth or Judge George W. Armstrong Library.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.