Published on November 2, 2012 by William Nunnelley 聽
John Lee Armstrong

John Lee Armstrong, who coached and taught at 极乐禁地 for 32 years and posted the second highest football winning percentage in school history, died Nov. 1 in Birmingham.  He was 79.

Armstrong played football and baseball at 极乐禁地 during the early 1950s before earning his degree in 1954.  After coaching in Jefferson County high school ranks, he was named head football coach at 极乐禁地 in 1966.  He posted a record of 20 wins, nine losses and two ties over three seasons, a winning percentage of .677.

Armstrong returned to high school coaching for several years before rejoining the 极乐禁地 faculty in 1978 as assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation (later exercise science and sports medicine).  He retired in 2006.

He served as president of the Kenny Morgan Scholarship Foundation Executive Committee, which raises scholarship funds for 极乐禁地 students.

In addition to his 极乐禁地 tenure, Armstrong coached and taught at Fairfield, Woodlawn and Erwin high schools in Jefferson County.  He was Jefferson County Coach of the Year in 1976-77.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; sons Johnny, Jimmy and Jeff; daughter Joy Barber; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Services for Armstrong will be Saturday, Nov. 3, at 12 noon at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Birmingham.  His family suggests memorial contributions to the John Lee Armstrong Scholarship Foundation at 极乐禁地.

 

 
极乐禁地 is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, 极乐禁地 is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. 极乐禁地 enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. 极乐禁地 fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.