Arnold Antone Armstrong Jr.

Arnold Antone Armstrong, Jr.

May 27, 1935 – September 10, 2026

Magnolia, TX

Memorial services for Arnold, 91, of Magnolia, TX, will be held on October 2, 2026, 11:00am at Bayou City Fellowship in Tomball, TX; reception to follow. Executive Pastor Allan McBrayer will be officiating.

Arnold was born on May 27, 1935, in Frost, Navarro County, Texas, to Arnold and Sammie Strain Armstrong. He passed peacefully on September 10, 2026 in the care of Heart to Heart Hospice in Memorial Hermann Woodland’s campus. He had one brother, Strain, born in 1938, and one sister, Debra, born in 1955. He went to school in Frost through the 8th grade until the family moved to Corsicana, Texas. He graduated from Corsicana High School in 1953 and enrolled in Navarro Junior College (now known as Navarro College). After one year he transferred to North Texas State College (now known as The University of North Texas). In 1956, Arnold married Jeanice Walker, and they moved to Beaumont, Texas. He was employed by Mobil Oil Company and enrolled in Lamar State College of Technology (now known as Lamar University), graduated in 1957. It was there in Beaumont that they had the first of their two children, Mike, in 1957. The family later moved to Houston where in 1959, their daughter Jan was born.

After a series of moves between Houston, Beaumont, Dallas, Richardson, and Baton Rouge, Arnold and his family settled in Houston. The marriage to Jeanice ended. He met the love of his life, Maria Papadaki, in Houston, TX in 1972. They would fall in love and marry in Aspen, CO in 1974. Arnold brought his two children to the marriage, while Maria brought a daughter, Nanette, born in 1968. Together, they welcomed a son, Arnold (Tony) Antone Armstrong, III, born in 1976.

After a successful 12-year career with Mobil Oil Corporation, Arnold changed his path to begin a long and rewarding career in commercial real estate brokerage. After one year with the Horn Company, Arnold started his own real estate company, A.A.Armstrong Real Estate. Over his career his client list included Mobil Oil Corporation, Diamond Shamrock, Stop-N-Go, Burger King, Chick Fil A, Denny’s, several independent convenience store owners, and his career pride and joy was bringing McDonald’s into the Houston market. Work was not work for Arnold, he loved his career, driving markets, meeting people, and putting deals together. He worked hard, and he worked right up to the end.

Arnold loved the outdoors — he’d rather be sitting in a deer blind or have a hook in the water than be anywhere else. He and Maria enjoyed traveling the world together, working in their beautiful yard, scuba diving, water and snow skiing, he was a pilot for a period of time, and he loved a good football or baseball game. He was also a farmer and a proud cattleman, raising Beefmaster cattle for many years. But most importantly, Arnold was a believer in Christ. He spent his final years attending church regularly with his family in Magnolia, taking part in church events, and meeting every Wednesday for his beloved "IHOP Group" Bible study.

Arnold was blessed with incredible health and vitality all his life. Unfortunately, earlier this year we discovered his arteries had severe blockage that required immediate attention. It didn’t take him long to decide he wanted to proceed with open heart surgery to make the necessary repairs. He had a strong desire to live, and the doctors were so impressed with his condition they didn’t hesitate to agree to the operation. While the surgery was incredibly hard on his body, he did survive the surgery but would battle complications for the next four months before a severe infection would take his life. He fought hard to the end; he fought the good fight. Arnold passed away peacefully with Nanette and Tony by his side. His bravery, strength, sense of humor, love and incredible kindness shined through to all he met, he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include son Mike and daughter-in-law Alicia of Carlsbad, CA; daughter Jan Ragan and son-in-law Sean of Rogers, AR; daughter Nanette Jarosh and son-in-law Gene of Huntersville, NC; son Tony and daughter-in-law Katherine of Magnolia, TX. Grandchildren include Walker, Ryan, Eleni, Alex, Hudson and Holland.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; wife Maria; sister-in-law Nancy; nephew Josh, and many wonderful family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Children’s Memorial Hermann, both organizations loved and supported by Arnold & Maria. 

Memories and condolences may be added at https://www.kleinfh.com/.