Irwin Wayne Armstrong 95, also known by his friends and family as Cotton of Kingston, Oklahoma passed away Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Alliance Hospital in Durant, Oklahoma.  Cotton was born Shay, Oklahoma on October 13, 1927, to the late Cary S. Armstrong and Lela Nance Armstrong.  He attended Shay and Kingston High School.  Cotton was a member of the Kingston Alumni Association.   He moved with his parents to the Oklahoma panhandle where he farmed and owned and operated a service station. Cotton was drafted into the United State Army at Amarillo, Texas in February of 1951 serving at Fort Jackson, South Carolina Camp Stewart, Georgia Fort Bliss and Fort Hood, Texas Camp, Atterbury, Indiana, Camp Joyce Kilmer, New Jersey and in Ludwigsburg, Germany being discharged at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas in 1953.  After being discharged he worked at various jobs then attended college at Oklahoma State University and graduated from Panhandle State University with Business Degree.  Cotton worked in the oil and gas exploration industry 20 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico and 14 years in Amarillo, Texas.  He married Lorraine "Lori" Heiling in Las Vegas, Nevada and after early retirement they moved to Shay where he helped organize and incorporate the Shay Cemetery.  He and his nephew Bill donated land for the Shay Community Center.  Cotton was active in his community, serving on the boards of Shay Community Center, Shay Cemetery, Buncombe Creek Fire Department and the Marshall County Excise and Equalization Board.  Cotton also served several years on the budget and finance committee of Texoma Southern Baptist church of which he was a member.  Cotton and Lori visited all 50 U. S. States and several foreign countries.  He enjoyed being with relatives and enjoyed card playing.

Cotton is survived by:

Wife:                                       Lori Armstrong, Shay, Oklahoma

Brother:                                   Lelan Armstsrong and wife Shirley, Casper, Wyoming

Many nieces, nephews

Cotton was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Bill, Clayton, Keith and Ray and sister; Imogene Bearden Scott.

Casket Bearers: John Armstrong, Marlon Armstrong, Donnie Gray, David Greer, Ron McKim, David Walton

Honorary Bearers:    Jerry Farley, Bob West, Harold Wilcox, Cris Wooden