John Junior Armstrong, 91 of Muscotah, Kansas, passed away Sunday afternoon, November 8th, at the Winchester Senior Care Center.

Visitation will be at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton Wednesday, November 11 between 6:00-7:30 PM. A memorial service will be held at Muscotah United Church on Thursday, November 12 at 1:00 PM.

Junior was born to John & Catherine Armstrong on November 29, 1924 and was the oldest of three sons. His brother Charles D. resides in Muscotah, His brother Bill of Topeka, preceded him in death. He was married to Ula Bates on December 18, 1949 She passed away in May, 2013. He is survived by two sons Jay, who lives and works on the family farm and Rex, who teaches at Kansas University.

Junior’s accomplishments were many, but farming and livestock were always his first loves. An accomplished auctioneer and reputable real estate broker, he also helped form and was charter president of Effingham Co-op. He, along with his brother and father, owned 2 local sale barns, a John Deere dealership, and a tire business. He served on the Kansas 4-H foundation as Chair and the Ag Hall of Fame. His awards and accommodations range from Atchison Globes NE KS man of the year to being honored by the Newcomen Society of North America for his contribution to business and industry. He and Ula were recipients of the Master Farmer/Homemaker award.

His legacy will be remembered as President of the Kansas Farm Bureau from 1972 to 1983. While president, he filed violations with NLRB against the Longshoremen for their unwillingness to load US ships with wheat to Russia. His endeavors successfully opened up trade for what is known as the “Great Russian Wheat Sale”. He also helped in removing the property tax off of machinery and livestock. In addition, he was successful in eliminating the sales tax on repairs, which were crippling Kansas farmers’ incomes. He originated the idea for Kansas to form a sister-state relationship with Henan providence in China for which he carried the signed agreement to China on behalf of Kansas.

He was appointed to the Kansas Wheat Commission and served on the US Wheat Associates Board, positions his son Jay now holds. Junior served on many committees on behalf of multiple governors. He helped negotiate GATT agreements and traveled extensively promoting Ag trade when the world population was asking for more food from the U.S. Just a few of the boards and committees he served on include KPERS, President of KS Committee of Farm Organizations, KS BC/BS board, Trustee of KSU Endowment, Director of KS State Bank of Manhattan.

He was active in his church serving on the board and as a Sunday School teacher. But to those who knew him, he will be remembered as a patient man who listened to them and whose word could always be depended on. To his family, he will be remembered as a kind, gentle father who loved his family and served his community.