Jay De Armstrong

Jay De Armstrong, the son of Richard and Karen (Henry) Armstrong, was born September 13, 1969, in Lincoln, NE. He departed this life on March 21st, 2024, at Bryan LGH-East in Lincoln, NE, at the age of 54. 

He grew up in Red Cloud, NE, graduating from Red Cloud High School in 1988. Jay De attended Southeast Community College in Beatrice and received an associate degree in animal science in 1991. He had a lifelong career working with livestock. He worked as a ranch hand in Thedford, NE, at Dinklage feed yard, at the hog farm near Red Cloud, and worked as a farm hand for Rod Simonson. Finally, he worked for Gottsch Feeders for over 20 years in various positions including pen rider, night watchman, and tractor loader operator. 

Jay De loved spending time with friends, hunting, and had a lifelong passion for animals. He cared for all kinds of animals that included goats, a donkey, horses, and his dog named Gidget. It was once said that he was born 200 years too late as evidenced by his love of Louis L’Amour books that depicted portrayals of frontier life. Jay De was a man of few words but always had a wisecrack comment to interject into any conversation. His daughter, Shaina, said, “I think Dad sometimes truly underestimated just how much of an impact he had on all of us, and nothing will fill that void that's there now with him no longer being here. I will forever miss his "Hey kiddo" or the random "I love you” text.” 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dean and June Armstrong, Lyle and Jean Henry, and Harley and Ethel Hatcher.

Left to treasure his memory are daughter, Shaina Armstrong, Norman, OK, his parents Richard and Karen Armstrong, Red Cloud, sister Kim (Joe Mai) Armstrong, Osborne, KS, brother Jeff (Ashley) Armstrong, Red Cloud, brother Justin (Ana) Armstrong, Red Cloud, and friend, Susan Strickland, Red Cloud, along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will be held at Williams Funeral Home, Red Cloud, on Tuesday, March 26th from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 pm - with the family present from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to service time at the church. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud, NE with Rev. Dale Thiele officiating. Interment will be at Guide Rock Cemetery, Guide Rock, NE.

Fellowship and light refreshments will be held immediately following the interment at On The Brix with a Toast to Jay De at 4:00 pm.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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