Frederick David Armstrong's Obituary
Frederick David Armstrong of Davidson, North Carolina passed away in the presence of loved ones on Monday, July 6, 2026. He was 73 years old.
Fred was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on February 5, 1953. He played tennis for most of his life, with notable team accomplishments being district champions in 1970 and 1971 at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pennsylvania.
Fred received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania followed by his Master’s in Business Administration from Penn State University, achievements he took great pride in. While at Elizabethtown College he played on the men’s tennis team. Fred’s business career took him to IBM in 1985, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Gates.
Patty and Fred married in 1988 in Lititz, Pennsylvania. They built a life together that took them from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Palm Harbor, Florida, and Davidson, North Carolina in 1996. Fred enjoyed a fulfilling career at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC from 1999 through his retirement in 2024.
Fred had many passions in life, including tennis, landscaping, and supporting Philadelphia sports teams including the Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, in addition to his alma mater Penn State. He would easily make conversation with strangers asking if they knew the score to whatever game was being played at that time. Fred was an accomplished tennis player his whole life, continuing to play in USTA tournaments around North Carolina. Fred had a green thumb, taking great pride in maintaining his yard and finding the best flowers for Davidson’s climate.
While Fred had many passions, his family was his greatest. Fred was a father to Stephen, Matthew, and Lindsay, and he was their biggest fan. He was always involved in Stephen’s hockey games, Matthew’s Boy Scout trips, and Lindsay’s soccer games to name a few. He became Pop Pop to granddaughter Ellie in 2022 and grandson Ethan in 2024. He was already their biggest fan in their early years of life with endless games of hide and seek and trips to the park. Fred loved his granddogs, Tucker and Riley, and he could often be seen driving in and out of his neighborhood to take them out to eat and on walks at Fisher Farm.
Fred was a follower of Christ. His final days were full of peace in knowing that God was in control and that he would soon see the face of Jesus, his Savior. He lived out his faith in the way he served others and cared for his family. We will miss Fred, Dad, Pop Pop greatly, but rejoice in knowing his pain is gone and he is made whole in the presence of Jesus.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Jean Armstrong.
He is survived by his wife Patty, sister Kathie, son Stephen (wife Chany), son Matthew (wife Sarah, grandchildren Ellie and Ethan), daughter Lindsay (husband Ryan), and granddogs Tucker and Riley.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville, North Carolina. Your care and consideration for Fred and our family made all the difference during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Samaritan's Purse, an organization dear to Fred and Patty, or the Leukemia Research Foundation.
Online condolences may be made at https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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