Submitted by his family
Oscar Armstrong III was born in Cincinnati‚ Ohio on July 22nd‚ 1977 to Annette Armstrong and Oscar Armstrong. Oscar‚ who is known as Ozzie to his family‚ was out going from a very early age. He began walking at 6 months and roller-skated at 8 months. Ozzie attended St. Francis DeSales and Douglas Elementary Schools. He graduated from Schroder Paideia Junior High in 1991 and Hughes High School in 1995. In addition‚ he attended Wright State University in Fairborn‚ Ohio.
Oscar’s greatest love was his family and he is survived by his devoted mother Annette and father Oscar; loving sister Twinkle Dawson and brother Omar T. Armstrong; Oscar was a devoted family man to his 2 sons‚ that were his world – Isaiah Oscar Armstrong and Oscar Armstrong IV and to his fianc_ Sakina Devereaux who also gave birth to a baby girl named Imani Olinia Armstrong in the summer of 2003.
Oscar‚ a people-person‚ never met a stranger and was very talkative‚ fun‚ loving and enthusiastic. Oscar was also a very creative individual who was an avid photographer‚ loved reading and performing home improvement projects – including roofing. Oscar even created music CDs. His family however‚ remained as his greatest love. He was an active participant in a number of clubs and organizations including: M2SE‚ (Minorities in Math‚ Science and Engineering)‚ KUDOS Fraternity‚ the Postponing Sexual Involvement Program‚ the RAUMUS Academy‚ University of Cincinnati’s Summer Incentive Program‚ Inner Society of Martial Arts and the Teen Institute ( a substance abuse prevention program).
On March 4th‚ 1996‚ while attending Wright State University‚ Oscar rescued a student from a dorm room fire‚ which began his interest in becoming a firefighter. Oscar was an ambitious‚ independent‚ and disciplined person who worked in a variety of service-oriented jobs. He worked in the Therapeutic Division for Cincinnati Recreation Department and as a mentor and employee for PsychSystems of Cincinnati‚ which served children with autistic and behavioral disorders. He also participated in Public Allies Cincinnati. His Public Allies position led to full time employment as the jobs for People office manager. He also worked for Ask Me About Cincinnati.
On May 19th‚ 2000‚ Oscar graduated with City of Cincinnati Fire Class 104 and eventually became a member of Engine Company 9 located in North Avondale. He served as a City of Cincinnati Firefighter with distinction for three short years. He loved being a firefighter‚ especially the elements of brotherhood‚ camaraderie‚ developing new skills and helping people. He was a member of the Cincinnati African American Firefighters Association‚ and Cincinnati Firefighters Local No. 48‚ which extended his relationships with fellow firefighters. The day before his accidental death‚ Oscar shared with his mother Annette that he had made the best career choice ever‚ by being a firefighter. On March 21st‚ 2003‚ Oscar’s dynamic life and career was suddenly ended In the line of duty in a flashover during a residential fire in Bond Hill.
Oscar’s 25-year life was distinguished because of his dedication to family‚ friends and his passion for helping others‚ demonstrated most recently as a City of Cincinnati Firefighter.
I attended Firefighter Armstrong’s funeral. I’m still honored to this day to have the honor to know of such a great sacrifice by this brave young man. I still find tears rolling down my cheek. Respectfully, William Kain, Wayne Twp Fire-Clermont Co.
– Bill KainI was serving as the acting officer of Engine 38 that made the fire. I will forever be changed. A month before he died we had been in a fire in a apartment building in Avondale and had another Mayday as another Firefighter got injured. A partial roof collapse and Oscar was there doing his best to help. When he comes back in the resurrection he never have pain again. John 5:28-29
– Bobby Williams