Obituary for John Gail Armentrout
Mr. Johnnie Gail (John) Armentrout, age 75, of Belington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon December 30, 2020 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown with his family by his side.
John was born in Randolph County on May 5, 1945 to the late Carl Armentrout and the late Imogene Hope Day Armentrout. The oldest of four children, John faced numerous health obstacles early on, including the diagnosis of polio at the age of 8.
John graduated from the last class of Belington High School in 1963. He went on to attend Glenville State College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in art and math. His first teaching job was at Homestead School in Randolph County. Later, he taught in Lewis County at Alum Bridge and became principal at Roanoke Elementary after receiving his Master of Education Administration from West Virginia University in 1978.
Always aspiring to be a coach, the family moved to Raleigh County where he was a teacher and a football coach at Trap Hill Middle School. It was here that he led the team to an undefeated season in 1983. This “wildcat” team has always held a special place in his heart, and several of those team members are serving as his pallbearers for his funeral.
In the early 1980s, his family returned to Barbour County where he was principal at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. He ended his teaching career being a facilitator for Adult Education throughout the county, where he assisted hundreds of people in earning their GED.
John’s dedication was not to just education, as throughout his life he volunteered at numerous organizations. He served on the WV State Board of the American Cancer Society, was an actor in local theatre for Lewis and Barbour counties, served as a radio announcer for Philip Barbour football games, and was a trustee at First Baptist Church in Elkins, WV. Currently, he was President of the Barbour County Retired School Employees Association. John always loved to shop (especially on eBay), attend local high school and collegiate football and basketball games, and decorate for his favorite holiday, Christmas.
While in college, he was a member of the Glenville State College Marching Band and it was here he met Connie Sue Fox, a fellow trumpeter. Little did he know then that chance meeting would lead to a 52-year marriage to his soul mate, Connie Armentrout, who survives. John and Connie had one child, Allyson Rae Armentrout McNaboe, who resides in Belington. They were blessed with two grandchildren Cadie Beth McNaboe, a junior at Davidson College in Davidson, NC and Isabella Hope McNaboe a junior at Philip Barbour High School.
John and Connie also adopted two children Desirée Armentrout Roberts of Clarksburg, and her twin brother Jeremy Armentrout of Oregon. They also had one foster son, Roger Scarbrough of Pemberton, WV.
John is also survived by two siblings: Gary Armentrout and wife Linda of Broadway, VA and Carla Armentrout Maleski and husband Dave of Washington, PA. He was proceeded in death by one brother Jack Armentrout. John was also close to Connie’s siblings: Frank Fox of Belington and the late John Fox and wife Carol of Fayetteville, NC.
While his love for his family and friends always took precedent, there was another love that was always near and dear to his heart- the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He hardly ever missed a football or basketball game, and always was up for a great debate on who were the best players. John Armentrout will forever bleed for the blue and gold.
There will be a family visitation on Saturday January 2, 2021 from 5-6 pm, followed by a public viewing from 6-8 pm from the Talbott Funeral Home 56 Brandenburg Street in Belington. The private funeral will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 2 pm from the funeral home chapel. His former pastor, Dr. Marvin Parli, will be officiating and his longtime friend Doug Schiefelbein will be delivering the eulogy. Face coverings and social distancing are mandatory while paying your respects in the funeral home. The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Johnnie Gail (John) Armentrout.
John was born in Randolph County on May 5, 1945 to the late Carl Armentrout and the late Imogene Hope Day Armentrout. The oldest of four children, John faced numerous health obstacles early on, including the diagnosis of polio at the age of 8.
John graduated from the last class of Belington High School in 1963. He went on to attend Glenville State College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in art and math. His first teaching job was at Homestead School in Randolph County. Later, he taught in Lewis County at Alum Bridge and became principal at Roanoke Elementary after receiving his Master of Education Administration from West Virginia University in 1978.
Always aspiring to be a coach, the family moved to Raleigh County where he was a teacher and a football coach at Trap Hill Middle School. It was here that he led the team to an undefeated season in 1983. This “wildcat” team has always held a special place in his heart, and several of those team members are serving as his pallbearers for his funeral.
In the early 1980s, his family returned to Barbour County where he was principal at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. He ended his teaching career being a facilitator for Adult Education throughout the county, where he assisted hundreds of people in earning their GED.
John’s dedication was not to just education, as throughout his life he volunteered at numerous organizations. He served on the WV State Board of the American Cancer Society, was an actor in local theatre for Lewis and Barbour counties, served as a radio announcer for Philip Barbour football games, and was a trustee at First Baptist Church in Elkins, WV. Currently, he was President of the Barbour County Retired School Employees Association. John always loved to shop (especially on eBay), attend local high school and collegiate football and basketball games, and decorate for his favorite holiday, Christmas.
While in college, he was a member of the Glenville State College Marching Band and it was here he met Connie Sue Fox, a fellow trumpeter. Little did he know then that chance meeting would lead to a 52-year marriage to his soul mate, Connie Armentrout, who survives. John and Connie had one child, Allyson Rae Armentrout McNaboe, who resides in Belington. They were blessed with two grandchildren Cadie Beth McNaboe, a junior at Davidson College in Davidson, NC and Isabella Hope McNaboe a junior at Philip Barbour High School.
John and Connie also adopted two children Desirée Armentrout Roberts of Clarksburg, and her twin brother Jeremy Armentrout of Oregon. They also had one foster son, Roger Scarbrough of Pemberton, WV.
John is also survived by two siblings: Gary Armentrout and wife Linda of Broadway, VA and Carla Armentrout Maleski and husband Dave of Washington, PA. He was proceeded in death by one brother Jack Armentrout. John was also close to Connie’s siblings: Frank Fox of Belington and the late John Fox and wife Carol of Fayetteville, NC.
While his love for his family and friends always took precedent, there was another love that was always near and dear to his heart- the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He hardly ever missed a football or basketball game, and always was up for a great debate on who were the best players. John Armentrout will forever bleed for the blue and gold.
There will be a family visitation on Saturday January 2, 2021 from 5-6 pm, followed by a public viewing from 6-8 pm from the Talbott Funeral Home 56 Brandenburg Street in Belington. The private funeral will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 2 pm from the funeral home chapel. His former pastor, Dr. Marvin Parli, will be officiating and his longtime friend Doug Schiefelbein will be delivering the eulogy. Face coverings and social distancing are mandatory while paying your respects in the funeral home. The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Johnnie Gail (John) Armentrout.