Armon "Bud" Armstrong, of Swift Current, passed away peacefully at the Palliser Regional Care Centre on January 8, 2016, at the age of 85, with family by his side. The Memorial Service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15th from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall with Shirley Wilson officiating. Bud will be interred with his late wife, Helen and his parents, Wilfred and Ruth Armstrong. An Interment Service at Memory Gardens will be held at a later date. The music for Bud's memorial was compiled by Bud's grandson, Brian Armstrong. The eulogy of Bud's life was given by his daughter, Arlene Piechotta. Honorary Pallbearers were all of his grandchildren and an Honour Guard was formed by men of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Left to honour Bud's life are his son, Glen Armstrong (Cheryl) of Swift Current, and their sons, Brian Armstrong of Swift Current and Blayne Armstrong of Val Marie; daughter, Isabelle Armstrong and her mother, Whitney Perrault, both of Val Marie; daughter, Arlene Piechotta of Swift Current, and her children, Armanda Piechotta of Estevan, Kristopher Piechotta of Lethbridge, AB, and Shelby Piechotta of Swift Current, and their father, Richard Piechotta of Gull Lake; daughter, Bonnie Armstrong of Weyburn, and her children, Matthew, Megan and Melissa White, all of Weyburn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bud was predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Ruth Armstrong; wife, Helen (nee Holmes); brother, Gordon Armstrong; sisters, Kay Dietrich and Audrey Fortney; brothers-in-law, Lorne Dietrich and Carl Fortney; sister-in-law, Evelyn Armstrong; and nephew, Gordon Armstrong. Bud was born on the family farm in the Rush Lake District, the fourth child to his parents, Wilfred and Ruth Armstrong. He attended Highfield School, Rush Lake School and W.A. Beatty School. Bud began farming at a young age with his father and continued to do so even after he had moved off the farm into Swift Current. This continued until the early 60s at which time his father, due to ill health, chose to retire from farming. Bud's passion for cars led him into the automotive parts business. He became a partsman for several car dealerships over the years, the first being in 1951 at Gallant Motors, followed by others, Century, McDaid Steadman and Standard Motors. During his early years in Swift Current, Bud met the woman of his dreams, Helen Holmes. After dating for several years they decided to elope and were married in Medicine Hat, AB, on December 9, 1954. Their marriage lasted 42 years until the time of Helen's passing. Bud and Helen purchased their forever home in 1958, where they raised their family,son Glen and daughters Arlene and Bonnie. During this busy family time in 1972, Bud's hard work at building an excellent reputation with all of this employers, his dedication to customer service and his expertise in the automotive parts industry paid off. All of this led him to his dream job at the Swift Current Agriculture Canada Research Station. After a lengthy 21 year career with them, Bud retired as the supervisor of stores on March 31, 1993. Over the years Bud had been a member of the Elks Lodge of Canada, Royal Canadian Legion and lastly, the one true to his heart, a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Bud also made time for hobbies he enjoyed, such as bowling, ski-doing, tinkering on cars and going fishing. Dancing was also a passion of Bud's and often his wife, Helen, would joke that she would hardly see him when they went to a dance because he was so good that everyone wanted to dance with him. Bud was ahead of the times, as in his younger years he enjoyed capturing moments on film. There was nothing sneaky about him, as he would work the room with his movie camera in one hand and blind people with his two floodlight bulbs on a stick in his other. These homemade "Bud" films have brought tears of laughter from those who have viewed them as well as those who remembered having been blinded by him. Summer holidays for Bud meant a family camping trip every year. He was never happier than when he was hitting the road, pulling his crank-up tent trailer, with his wife in the front and 3 kids crammed into the backseat, with windows rolled down and radio turned up. Cruising down the highway were times he treasured. Bud was a loyal family man. When his father passed away he took over the role of helping his mother. For many years he cared for not only his own home but hers as well. He devoted many hours ensuring his mother was taken care of and considered her to be not only his mother but a friend whose company he greatly enjoyed. Bud also shared a special relationship with his sisters, Kay and Audrey. These three together, all of whom were extremely quick-witted and had a passion for laughter, could find humour in any situation and they did. The bond they formed growing up on the family farm during their early years lasted their lifetimes. Bud's biggest passion in life, besides his family and friends, was a gift given to him by his mother. She had taught him how to drive as a young boy on the farm. His love for driving remained with him his entire life and he had kept a list of every car he ever owned. After his retirement from the Research Station, for many years, he drove for both Standard Motors and Pratt's Car Dealership, picking up and dropping off cars for them. Many times he was also happy to help out friends that needed to go out of town for medical appointments and he would volunteer to take them. Other times, he was content to just cruise around town with his big "B" license plate on his car, never stopping anywhere because he just wanted to be driving. Bud, when raising his children, always fell back on the core values that he had been taught growing up. Many times he taught by example but most importantly, always taught to find the humour. It will get you through life's hard times and make the good times even better. Bud had a special gift where he could impart sayings that at times could bring a chuckle or a laugh to a moment of extreme seriousness and take you from tears to laughter. Regardless of what he was going through, his sense of humour remained with him up until the end. It was this humour and love of laughter he possessed that won the hearts of many of the people whose lives he touched. Bud lived simply. What you saw was what you got...laughter, generosity and kindness. He and his laughter will be greatly missed. Bud's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Swift Current Cypress Regional Hospital for the care they gave him during his two week stay in September of last year, and to the staff at the Palliser Regional Care Centre for their care, love and support that they provided for Bud over the past three months. Finally, to anyone whoever gave him his favorite thing, a hot blanket, and there were many given during this time - thank you - you are all angels. In his memory, donations can be made to the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc., 2051 Saskatchewan Drive, Swift Current, SK S9H 0X6. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.