Imogean Patsy Armstrong-Crittenden

Celebrating Life

Imogean Patsy Armstrong-Crittenden, 86 of John Day, Oregon, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023, at her home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the John Day Church of the Nazarene, 521 East Main Street, John Day, Oregon. With Pastor Randing Johnson officiating. After the service, a reception will be held in the Nazarene Fellowship Hall.

Imogean was born in Seymour, Texas to Ernest and Opal Stonestreet Shaw. She joined siblings Ernestine and Richard.  Billy and Dorothy would later join the Shaw family.  At a young age, Imogean and her family relocated to Gilbert, Arizona. 

It was in Gilbert where Imogean met and fell in love with Cecil Ronald Armstrong.  On December 24, 1955, the couple traveled (eloped) to Snowflake, Arizona where they were married.  Imogean was 18 years old at the time and a senior at Gilbert High School.  Cecil was in his second year of college at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.  After they were married, Imogean returned to Gilbert and completed her senior year of high school and Cecil returned to Tempe and continued with his education.

Daughter Pat was born in 1957 while the couple was living in Denver, Colorado.  Son Bob was born in 1959 after Imogean and Cecil moved back to Arizona.  Son Greg was born in 1961.

Imogean spent the next 32 years in six different states as Cecil advanced in his career with the Forest Service.  From 1971 to 1979 they lived in John Day where all 3 of their children graduated from Grant Union High School.  Upon Cecil’s retirement in 1993, Imogean and Cecil moved back to John Day.

During many of these years Imogean worked in a variety of jobs outside the home.  While in southern California she worked closely with the US Navy and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a teletypist. While in John Day during the 1970’s she was the office manager for Petrolane Gas. Her last job was as an office manager for Smith Energy in Denver, Colorado from 1979 to 1982.

After moving back to John Day in 1993, Imogean and Cecil remodeled their house on Humbolt with no plans of ever moving again. It was here where Imogean was able to develop her green thumb and love of gardening.

In 2003, after a five-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Cecil, her husband for nearly 48 years, passed away. 

In 2005 Imogean received a visit from Bill Crittenden who was anxious to see her extensive and beautiful landscaped house and yard.  Bill would return to California where he and Imogean continued to correspond.  On June 4, 2005, Bill and Imogean were married.

Bill and Imogean continued to live in their house on Humbolt Street in Canyon City, Oregon where together they shared the love of gardening.  In 2021, at the age of 93, Bill passed away.  Imogean and Bill were blessed with 16 years of marriage.

Imogean spent most of her life involved in her church and actively serving the Lord.  She loved the time she was able to spend with her friends from the John Day Church of the Nazarene and cherished her friendships.

She is survived by her three children, 8 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. 

Daughter Pat and son-in-law Ken Holliday and their three children; Daughter Jennifer and husband Nate, and children Max and Oliver. Son Nick and wife Kate. Son Ben and wife Chandra, and children Clyde and Silvie.

Son Bob and daughter-in-law Lauri Armstrong and their two children; Son Brad and wife Mary and children Owen and Eli. Daughter Jessica and children Charley, Jack, and Cody.

Son Greg and daughter-in-law Marla Armstrong and their three children; Daughter Catlyn and husband John and children Esther, Miriam, and Wesley. Daughter Ree and children Hannah, Elijah, and Elizabeth. Daughter Tilli and husband Greg and child Adaline.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Church of the Nazarene World Mission Fund, through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, Oregon 97845. Obituary courtesy of Driskill Memorial Chapel.

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