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Jerry Dewey Armstrong, 79, passed away on August 21, 2023, at his home in Fairfield, NC.

Mr. Jerry was born in Columbia, NC in Tyrrell County on August 10, 1944, to the late Martin and Helen Cutrell Armstrong. He is survived by his wife, Mary Sears Armstrong. In addition, surviving are his three daughters, Tammy Cahoon (Eric) of Engelhard, Kristie Sisson (Kevin) of Raleigh, and Melissa Armstrong of Clayton; grandchildren, Karissa Rogers (Jordan), Kellum Cahoon (Macy), Katie Cahoon, Michael, Brandon and Jonathan Sisson, Mary Frances and Mason Reigher; and one great-grandson Myles Mateleska; a brother Larry Wayne Armstrong (Jan) of Texas and sisters-in-law Alice Ann Armstrong, Marlis Smith, Sara Meekins and Janet Russ (Anthony) and brother-in-law Charles Sears (Debbie), all of Fairfield and many special nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James “Jimmy” Armstrong, his brothers-in-law Daniel Sears, Jr. and Nathan Sears, and sisters-in-law Amanda Schmitt and Marie Barnhill.

After graduating from West Hyde High School in 1962, Jerry moved to Florida with his brother, Jimmy, where he worked as a mechanic. Upon returning to NC, he married the love of his life on June 12, 1965. They made their home in Fairfield where he began building his legacy. After marrying, he worked for local businesses in the farming industry in Hyde County until he founded Armstrong Land Development in 1977. Over the next 40-plus years, he cleared and developed land for farmland, major highways, pharmaceutical plants, duck impoundments, hog lagoons, and drainage purposes. His dozers were used to fight fires in NC and VA.  As a general contractor and an avid NASCAR fan, Jerry realized a dream by designing, building, co-owning, and operating a racetrack in Kenly, NC. He was a member of the Fairfield and Swan Quarter Masonic Lodges. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church of Fairfield and then St. Georges’ Episcopal Church in Engelhard. Jerry was a respected member of the community, always willing to lend a helping hand, giving of his time, talents, and resources.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to Solomon Cooper, Gene Tooley Gibbs, and especially, Charles Sears, who was his best friend, his “righthand man” who ran the business the last few years. Jerry loved and respected all of them and enjoyed joking with them and giving them endearing nicknames. His greatest accomplishment, though, was being a devoted and loving husband to his wife, a kind and gentle father to his three daughters, and the best “Papa” in the world to his grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in St. Georges’ Parish House. A service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at St. Georges’ Episcopal Church, Engelhard, NC, with Rev. Anne Dale, Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the family plot at the Fairfield Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made in Jerry’s honor to the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 133 Fairfield, NC 27826.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.