James E. Armstrong, age 71, of Bear Lake, MI passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2024.

He was born on January 10, 1953. The son of the late Dorothy and Arlington Armstrong, he attended Benzie Central High School and graduated in 1972.

Jim married Phyllis (Maue) Fink in Manistee, MI on May 5, 2005.

Jim was a multifaceted athlete, most notably playing baseball, basketball, and softball. He even tried out for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals in the 1970's. Jim continued his love of sports and invested his love into that of coaching. Jim began his high school girls' basketball coaching career at Benzie Central High School. His most prominent coaching years were at Onekama High School where "Coach A" led the varsity girls' basketball team to a district 3-peat, winning the West Michigan D-League District Championship in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Jim was a beloved coach, taking a personal interest in the lives of his players beyond the court, most recently in his granddaughters' sporting events.

Outside of athletics, Jim was passionate about his career, with his most prominent job serving Honor & Onekama Building Supply, where he was still employed at the time of his passing. Despite leaving a couple times, he was loyally employed there for 45 years, although he would argue that it was 50 years. Affectionately known throughout the store as "Lil Doc", Jim was a true raconteur, famously telling his stories to the patrons of the store (and anyone who would listen). This cultivated numerous friendships over his nearly five decades of service. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Honor & Onekama Building Supply, and his customers, were extended family members that he loved dearly. Jim also loved being outside, and if you were to drive by his house on a Sunday afternoon you might find him in his garden or mowing his grass.

Jim is Survived by his wife, Phyllis of 19 years; children Catina, affectionally referred to as "Bird", (Todd) Crossman, Tiffany Higgins, Chance J. Armstrong, Ty Armstrong, Christy (Chad Springer) Fink, and Matt (Tara) Fink; grandchildren Allison (Josh) Crossman-Moody, Joseph Crossman, Jackson Higgins, Harper Higgins, Annabelle Armstrong, Olivia Fink, Claire Fink, Blake Springer, and Avery Springer; great granddaughter Hadley Moody; sisters Karen Ross and Sharon Knop; brother Ken Armstrong; sisters-in-law Betty Janicki and Bea (Art) Wendt; brothers-in-law James and Earl Maue; special family friend, Barb Mitchell; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws James and Effa Maue; brother Harry Armstrong, brothers-in-law Jack Ross Ralph Knop, and Wayne Janicki; sisters-in-law Vicki Armstrong and Rose Ann Maue; sister and brother-in-law Sherry (Dennis) Rutowski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday June 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama. The family will receive friends at the Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of mass. A prayer service will be held Friday at 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mike Larson and the Honor & Onekama Building Supply Company.

Please visit Jim's page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo, memory, or condolences. Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee is honored to assist the family during this difficult time.