Longtime Clovis Councilmember Harry Armstrong has died

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The man dedicated his life to Clovis serving nearly five decades on the City Council.

Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck got to know Armstrong very well having worked alongside him for a number of years.

"From Highway 168, 180, Old Town, the fire stations, the pet adoption center, the research park, the expansion of the medical park, all of that had Harry's handprint," Ashbeck said. "I can honestly say in the 30 years that I've worked with Harry on the council and as a planning commissioner he never made a single decision that was not in the best interest in Clovis."

First elected to the Clovis City Council in 1970, Armstrong was California's longest-serving City Council Member before retiring in 2016.

Fellow members remember how he never hesitated to offer support or advice.

Clovis Councilmember Jose Flores said, "He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. Told me what to look for, how to prepare for the meetings and how to serve the constituency better."

During his 12 term run as a councilman, Armstrong is credited with leading the charge to build Highways 180 and 168. He was later inducted into the Clovis Hall of Fame in 2010 but his impact on the community was far-reaching.

"Some years ago I was in Washington and met Senator Feinstein and said I'm from Clovis and she said, 'Oh, Harry Armstrong's city.' So his legacy was far and wide," Ashbeck said. "There's that saying that says success is leaving a place better than when you found it and Harry Armstrong left Clovis far better than when he arrived."

Armstrong retired from his council seat in October of 2016 and was having health problems at the time. He battled an illness stemming from pneumonia for the past four years.

Harry Armstrong was 87.