Statements of appreciation rolled in for longtime public servant Tim Armstead, a Supreme Court justice and former Speaker of the House of Delegates who passed away.
West Virginians of all kinds who had come into contact with Armstead over the years posted pictures of themselves with him on social media.
“His abilities, talents and character were recognized by his colleagues, his neighbors, and his fellow West Virginians,” said Chief Justice Bill Wooton.
“His public service accomplishments pale in comparison in other areas of his life. He was a natural leader, who always led by example. Tim was thoughtful, highly intelligent, an extremely hard worker, and in every decision was guided by Christian principles.”
See also: Tim Armstead, justice and former House speaker, has died
Armstead’s death was announced on Tuesday afternoon. The Kanawha County resident was 60. Armstead had been fighting cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Anna, their daughter, Katie and her husband Aaron Ferrari, a grandson and granddaughter.
“He was compassionate, gentle, strong, and a loyal leader—and above all, a devoted family man,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
A resident of Elkview, Armstead developed a reputation for working tirelessly to advocate for his community during his time in public service.
Following the devastating flood in that region in 2016, as Speaker of the House he sponsored the creation of the Legislature’s Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding to investigate and propose reforms to mitigate flood damage and improve disaster response.
As chief justice, he also took the Supreme Court’s Legal Advancement for West Virginia Students program to the new Herbert Hoover High School in March 2024.
“Tim leaves our world far too early,” said Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican.
“I’ve known Tim for a long time and know how much he loved our state. He was a good and decent man who always tried to set the right ethical tone in all of his actions. His dedication to the rule of law and our state’s heritage was felt in all of his opinions and decisions, and his legacy will be remembered for a long time.”
Armstead’s fellow justices said his time on the court was marked by quiet leadership and integrity.
“Tim lived a life marked by integrity, servant leadership and unwavering faith, and his service on the Court reflected those values,” Justice Haley Bunn said.
“He viewed his role as a justice not as a position of power, but as a sacred responsibility to serve others. His legacy of faithful public service will endure for generations. We grieve this profound loss of our colleague and friend, but we also give thanks for a life so well-lived.”
Armstead was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Jim Justice and took office Sept. 25, 2018. He was elected Nov. 6, 2018, to retain the seat until the end of the term that ended Dec. 31, 2020, and was re-elected on June 9, 2020, to a 12-year term that began Jan. 1, 2021. He served as the Court’s chief justice in 2020 and 2024.
“With profound sadness we mourn the loss of Tim Armstead,” said Justice Charles S. Trump IV. “He leaves a legacy of dedicated and selfless service to the citizens of West Virginia. ”
Born Feb. 26, 1965, in Charleston, Armstead was a graduate of Braxton County High School, the University of Charleston and West Virginia University College of Law. He was a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe and a Judith A. Herdon Fellowship intern with the West Virginia Legislature.
“What makes our system great is that somebody like Tim Armstead could do the things he did,” said Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Dan Greear, who was the lead attorney for the House of Delegates when Armstead was speaker.
“He came from a working class family. He wasn’t born into anything. He didn’t have a ton of money, but just through our system, he was able to work himself up.”
Armstead began his public service career as a press intern for Gov. Arch Moore from 1985 to 1988. He later worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge David A. Faber from 1991 to 1994 and as executive assistant to the chief of staff of Gov. Cecil Underwood from 1997 to 1998.
“For decades, he was one of the driving forces behind the conservative movement in West Virginia. Regardless of what hat he wore, he always had the Mountain State’s best interests at heart. He will be dearly missed, but his impact on West Virginia will live on,” said state Treasurer Larry Pack, a former state delegate.
In September 1998, Governor Underwood appointed Armstead to the House of Delegates to fill the seat vacated by the death of Delegate Dick Henderson. Armstead was then elected to the seat that November.
Current leaders in the state Legislature described their admiration for Armstead’s legacy.
“West Virginia lost a very special person today, and I lost another wonderful friend,” said current House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay.
“Justice Tim Armstead was the very embodiment of the word gentleman. He was kind, thoughtful, smart, encouraging and deeply committed to his family, his faith and his state. He accomplished more than one lifetime’s worth in his short time here.”
State Senate President Randy Smith, a Republican from Preston County who earlier served in the House of Delegates, also expressed sorrow about Armstead’s death.
“When I was first elected to the House of Delegates, he set an example of honesty, integrity, faith and service that was second to none. He was an example of leadership with grace, a man who had a deep faith in God, and loved his family with all of his heart,” Smith said.
Delegate Mike Pushkin, who is also chairman of the state Democratic Party, said he admired Armstead’s character from across the aisle and up close.
“I had the honor of serving under Speaker Armstead in the minority party. He was a man of deep faith, strong convictions, and quiet dignity,” Pushkin said.
“As Speaker, he worked hard to foster an environment of collegiality and respect. He viewed public service as a high honor, and his example reflected that commitment.”
Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, a former member of the House of Delegates, said public servants need to use Armstead’s life as a guide for how to live.
“If we all followed Tim’s lead as much as possible, I think the state would be a much better place,” McCuskey said.