Edward Armor of Durant, Okla., passed peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2023 at the age of 87. He was born in Bokchito, Okla., on September 14, 1935, to Homer and Lillie Armor. He married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Clemens, on May 5, 1956 in Durant. They shared 62 years of marriage together until her death in 2018.
Ed graduated from Bokchito High School in 1953. After graduation he attended Murray State College, Tishomingo, OK, for one year before entering the military. Ed honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. Ed was stationed in Hawaii where he served as a Military Police and then was assigned to be a Baker. He learned to make great pies and taught Shirley how to make them after leaving the Army. After the Army, Ed drove a bread truck while finishing college at the University of Texas at Arlington. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, Ed started a long career with IBM, serving as a manager for 25 years. He was well respected, known to be a great problem solver, fair, and honest. He made many lifelong friends while working at IBM.
Ed enjoyed fishing, camping and being outdoors. His favorite place to fish was lakes in remote parts of Mexico with his friend Leon. Ed would say the more miserable the weather conditions the better the fishing. Ed and Shirley belonged to two camping groups where they enjoyed camping in places across Oklahoma with great friends. Most recently Ed was a member of the Texoma Good Sam Club. Ed also enjoyed riding 4-wheelers with his friend and brother in law Henry.
Ed was most at home in the vegetable garden and was generous to share his bounty. He would grow peppers for Tammie, okra for Kellie, and tomatoes for Shirley. He had a special way with tomatoes and had a secret method of keeping the bugs away.
Ed loved to read, often seen with a paperback in his pocket. He could be seen reading a book in the stands at a grand kids’ soccer game – but never at an OU football game! Ed loved history and liked to visit historical sites.
Ed was a member of First Baptist Church, Durant, serving as a Deacon and on the building and finance committees. He was first ordained as a Deacon at Knob Hill Baptist, Oklahoma City, and also served at Trinity Baptist, Norman. Ed was kind, always willing to help others. He taught multiple Sunday School classes and mentored young adults.
Those left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Tammie Lovelace and husband David of Durant, Okla., and Kellie Mathis of Tulsa, Okla.; granddaughters: Amy Harrison and husband Tucker of Tulsa, Okla., Julie Wilson and husband Hayden of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Katie Mathis of Tulsa, Okla.; grandsons, Mark Lovelace and wife Mirtila of Rye, Colo. and Kane Lovelace and wife Brittney of Durant, Okla.; six great-grandsons; brother, Albert Armor and wife Pat of Denison, Texas, and sister, Magdalene Whittington of Lovington, N.M.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Armor.
Ed was laid to rest in a private service at Bokchito Cemetery. A public Memorial was held at First Baptist Church Durant on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Those serving as pallbearers: David Lovelace, Mark Lovelace, Kane Lovelace, Tucker Harrison, Hayden Wilson, and Bill Gilchrist.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com
