Obituary of John Royce Armstrong

John was a true renaissance man. He was raised in Alabama, he was an alum of the University of Alabama. He later studied at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston where he also interned with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. He was then chosen for his residency training at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City. During that same period he was drafted and served as a US Army doctor stationed in Frankfort, Germany.Throughout the course of his more than 45-year medical career, he served a term as Chief of Staff at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Worth, and held a private ophthalmology practice in Fort Worth.John was characterized by a ubiquitous curiosity and a lifetime committed to learning. His interests broadly ranged from reading and restoring antique books, to flying airplanes, or making glass jewelry and designing his homes. He also liked to ski, drive and ride motorcycles fast.Throughout his life, John loved music and played several instruments. He even played in his high school and college orchestras and bands. He would often take classical or operatic musical requests from his medical patients and whistle for them during surgery (at no additional charge).John traveled the world, and set foot in dozens of countries. He was especially fond of Southeast Asia and India, and took pleasure in returning with treasures from his adventures. He never asked anyone for more than a kind word, or occasionally a Yankee dime.The family would like to extend thanks to Dr. Allan Kelly, VITAS Hospice and the Comfort Keepers.Survivors: John will be remembered by his wife, Mary; and his children, Brooke, Jack and Vanessa (Kenny), and his step sons, Jason and Colin; his grandchildren, Lachlan, Holden; and step-grandchildren, Jordan, Jack, Walt and Parker.