James Armstrong III

James Armstrong III, 69, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home on October 29, 2024, at 8:35 a.m., surrounded by his wife and children. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. James was affectionately given the nickname “Steeledriver,” often shortened as “Steele” by his much-loved feisty grandmother, Ethel Coles, who named him after the American folk-lore legend John Henry, an African American freedman who is said to have worked as a "steel-driving man"—a man tasked with hammering a steel drill into a rock to make holes for explosives to blast the rock in constructing a railroad tunnel. She blessed him with this nickname, not realizing the great man of God that he would become, a strong follower of Jesus who pointed many people to Jesus through consistent “drilling” of the word of God into their lives.

Born October 5, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan, James grew up as the oldest son of James Jr. and Helen Beth Armstrong, and as brother to Norine “Nancy” Crumpe, Felicia “Fefe” Armstrong, and Austin “Odie” Armstrong. When he was a teenager, his mother accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as her Lord and Savior and began attending Lockett Memorial Church of God in Christ with Pastor Willie James Joshua, where James made the lifechanging decision to accept and follow Jesus, which he faithfully did all his life.

James “Steele” developed a strong interest in Television Media Production in high school, graduating in 1975. He then attended John Wesley College where he traveled abroad to London, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France.

James enlisted in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces in 1977. He was initially stationed in Texas, then sent to Germany. He was a Telecommunications Specialist and a sharpshooter. He was awarded good conduct and granted an honorable discharge. He often shared many fond memories of his time in the military.

James “Steele” met his wife, Nancy, in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1980 while they both attended Heritage School of Evangelism and Communication. They became inseparable and married on a 75-degree day at the Springfield, Missouri county courthouse on January 17, 1986. They both obtained their bachelor's degrees at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Broadcast Media in 1987. His first television media jobs landed him at WSFJ-TV 51 in Thornville, Ohio and at NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio. He loved his work running studio camera, directing and editing film for production. He later worked for World Harvest Church and as a media director for Fairview Village Church in Norristown, Pennsylvania. In addition, he freelanced in media production for Billy Graham Ministries, weddings, music concerts, Wendy’s, the Pokémon event (Columbus 2023), to name a few. Through WSFJ-TV 51, he traveled to Hollywood, California, to receive 2 Angel Awards for his commercials he wrote, directed and edited. In 2011, he began full-time employment at Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities for 10 years.

He later attended Ohio Christian University, earning his master's in Theology in 2014.

James “Steele” began attending the Reynoldsburg Community Church on Saturday mornings and was part of a men’s Emmaus group. He cherished his times with the men of God in these groups and loved each one of them for who God uniquely created them to be.

In James’ free time, he enjoyed working out, learning the guitar, watching superhero and Christian movies, visiting historic sites, learning Hebrew, spending time with his family and friends, shopping for unique vests, cowboy hats, and suit jackets, and taking drives in his PT Cruiser with his Superman license plate.

At his departure to heaven, he was currently employed full-time at Columbus City Schools Fort Hayes Career Center and as a freelance camera operator and part of the media team at World Harvest Church. Throughout his life, he connected with many people through his work whom he all loved dearly.

James is survived by his wife, Nancy Armstrong, his children who include Rachael Armstrong, Jamésa Armstrong, Sierra Armstrong, and James Thomas Armstrong, his son-in-law, Vikas Kumar, and his 2-year granddaughter, Rumi Armstrong-Kumar; his sisters, Nancy Crumpe and Felicia Armstrong, his brother, Austin Armstrong, and a host of family and friends.

James “Steele” Armstrong will forever be remembered for his passion and love for Jesus, his love of studying the Bible, and sharing God’s word. We know without a doubt in our minds that he heard Jesus welcome him into eternity in heaven with these words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

A celebration of life ceremony for James “Steeledriver” Armstrong III will be held at his home church Simple Church, 3043 Gender Rd., Reynoldsburg, Ohio, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with visitation from 10-11 and the service following. He will be put to rest in Silent Home Cemetery in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Pastor Aaron Delong will be officiating the ceremony. All are welcome! In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Jeffrey D. Miller Ministries, one of his favorite charities, who brings the truth of the gospel to orthodox Jews. (https://www.jeffreydmiller.com/) 

Memories, photos and stories can also be shared on the Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes site: https://www.shaw-davis.com