Michael Astle “Mike” Armour, 80, died May 17, 2021, at Legend of Hutchinson. He was born April 29, 1941, in Hutchinson, to Thomas and Dorothy Larue (Astle) Armour.
Mike graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1959, Kansas University in 1964, and Pilot School at Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, AZ, in 1966.
He flew for United Airlines, based in New York, for four years before returning to the Kansas Air National Guard to fly B-57's and start Valley Construction in Kingman. Mike later moved to Topeka and went on active duty as Operations Director and Wing Commander with the 190th Air Refueling Squadron flying the KC-135 Stratotanker. In 1972, he was forced to eject from a B-57 at an altitude of less than 300 feet when one of the engines exploded on takeoff. Mike also had a close call when the engine failed in his Cessna 182 and was forced to land on a dirt road west of Hutchinson.
After nearly 30 years of military service, he retired from the Guard in 1992, as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mike then became the executive director at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City. His love of aviation drew him back once again in 1995, when he was appointed Aviation Director for the State of Kansas by Governor Graves. Mike's years of service to Kansas aviation lead to his induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame as the 2008 Governor's Aviation Award Recipient.
After nearly 10 years in Topeka with the Kansas Aviation Department, Mike and Bonnie retired back to Hutchinson to enjoy golf and trips around the world with their many great friends.
Mike was dearly loved by his family, especially his wife, Bonnie. Together, they enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, and KU Basketball. Most of all, Mike enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and sharing stories about his life experiences. His love of aviation provided a decorated military and civilian career. Being an excellent problem solver, he enjoyed building and fixing things. One of Mike’s favorite places was the family cabin, where he enjoyed working on projects. Mike, otherwise known as “Papa”, was an amazing grandpa to his 18 grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Mike was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.
On August 10, 1996, he married Bonnie Lynn Day, in Dodge City.
Mike is survived by: his wife of almost 25 years, Bonnie of Hutchinson; his four children from his first marriage, Amy Russell (Dr. David Russell) of Coweta, OK, and their children, Caitlin and William. Alyssa Lam (David) of Tulsa, OK and their children, Katherine, Patrick, and Josephine, Michael Armour (Jennifer) of Hutchinson and their children, Michael "Aidan", Ericson, Matthew, Emily, Thomas, Peter and Ainsley, Thomas "Nick" Armour (Korinne) of Lenexa and their children, Caleb, Aubrey and Lauren; his two stepsons, Dr. Samuel Guenthner (Hillary) of Olathe and their children, Carson and Maddie Guenthner, and Dr. Jeremy Guenthner (Michelle) of Andover, and their daughter, Brooklynn Guenthner; and bonus son, Christopher “Tito” O’Kello of Kansas City.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom Armour.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, with The Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Military honors will be conducted by McConnell Air Force Base. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or Trinity United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Legend of Hutchinson and Serenity Hospice, for their compassionate care provided to Mike.