Clarence Thomas ‘Tom’ Armstrong, age 91, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2010 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington.

He was born on March 31, 1918, to Roscoe and Christine Haselhorst Armstrong on a homestead near Ekalaka, Carter County, Montana. The family later moved to Everett, WA where Tom graduated from Everett High School in 1936. Tom was working at Sears when he was drafted into the Army Air Force during WWII. Although he was trained as a P-38 mechanic, he served in transportation as a crew chief on C-47’s based in Karachi, India. After the War, Tom returned to Everett and worked as a car salesman for Peterson Motors in Arlington for many years.

He married Mary Helen McGuire on August 28, 1958 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley. They moved to the Houghton area of Lake Washington in 1961 residing there until moving back to Clear Lake.

Tom was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and he enjoyed being with people, fishing, and enjoying life.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary of Clear Lake, a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Armstrong of Everett, 8 nieces and nephews, Tom, Janet, David, Dick, Minda, Barbara, Bob, and Charlene. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 older brothers, Paul and Harold Armstrong and 2 sisters, Helen Peterson and Florence Goen.

The family would like to extend a special thank you for the friendship of the Clear Lake Community and especially the Clear Lake Fire Department.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Sedro-Woolley with Father Martin Bourke as Celebrant. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.