James Herbert Armbrister, Jr.

James Herbert Armbrister, Jr., 62, arrived at his heavenly home on Monday evening, October 7, 2019, while at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born May 3, 1957, in Wythe County, VA, the son of James Herbert Armbrister, Sr. and Faye M. Armbrister.  In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughters, Mary Anne Spence and her husband, SFC Tony Spence, and Jessyca Lee Armbrister, along with their mother, Linda Sykes; his sons, James Roy Armbrister and Marshall Lee Armbrister, along with their mother, Sarah Marshall; five grandchildren, Josiah Steele, James Andrew, Benjamin Marek, Anna Lynn and Rosalie Joy; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary A. and Dr. Scott Tyrey and Roberta A. and James Wienke; and four nieces and nephews.  The family wishes to express their appreciation for Beverly Vaught, for her caring and support during his extended illness.  He was a member of the Max Meadows United Methodist Church and then transferred to Salem United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, where he served on the Administrative Board and had most recently attended the Mount Airy Assembly of God Church, participating in the band, playing bass.  He attended Wytheville Community College and Surry Community College.  After managing Food Lion Stores in Winchester, Short Pump, VA, and Mount Airy and King, he became a member of the Mount Airy Police Department in 1994 and being Mount Airy’s first Community Officer which he headed the school resource officers, the DARE program, crime prevention and safety programs.  He was also Mount Airy’s first bicycle patrolman.  After obtaining rank of Lieutenant, he was forced to retire June 1, 2012, as result of his cancer.  Vowed to continue community service, which he did, he was appointed to fill the remainder of a two-year term as Commissioner at Large on the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners.  Then being elected to serve the present four-year term, which with his illness taking its toll cutting it short and eliminating his deep desire to be re-elected.  He was a member of Granite Masonic Lodge #322 AF & AM and Gold Prospectors of America.  His interest led him to equip a mobile unit to bring interest of young students by visiting schools where they could actually practice their portion of panning.  The funeral service will be held Friday, October 11, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy.  Burial will follow in the West End Cemetery in Wytheville, VA, at 3:00 PM.  The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home.