Charles Edward Armes

Charles Edward "Eddie" Armes, Jr.

Charles Edward "Eddie" Armes, Jr. was born in Marion, Indiana, on October 7, 1959, to Charles Edward "Charlie" Armes, Sr. and Ruth Evangeline "Vangie" Roark Armes. He passed away on June 23, 2026, in Manila, Philippines.

As a young boy, Eddie often spoke about how his Grandpa and Grandma Roark inspired his lifelong love of learning. He graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1978, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, earned straight A's, and received numerous academic honors. He loved playing basketball and baseball. Although he was not tall in stature, he became an outstanding basketball player by perfecting his three-point shot. He would arrive at school hours early just to practice. His nickname was "Dr. Blind" because, as his friends would say, he could "shoot your eyes out." He also enjoyed coaching his younger brothers, Chad and Todd, on their baseball teams when they were young.

Eddie attended Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma, now known as Southern Nazarene University. He graduated summa cum laude in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While there, he was recognized in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, became a member of the Delta Mu Delta and Alpha Mu Gamma honor societies, and received numerous business awards that still line the walls of Southern Nazarene University's business department. He graduated first in his class, an accomplishment of which he was immensely proud. Throughout his years in ministry, he often shared this achievement with teenagers to encourage them to work hard and pursue excellence.

Eddie married Kimberly Branham in 1978, and together they welcomed their daughter, Shawnda Lee Armes.

In 1984, Eddie married Roxanne Sharp. Together they had three children: Brittany Nicole, Makhaila Leann, and Bryce Edward. Eddie and Roxanne were married for 30 years.

In 2014, Eddie married Emma Hancock. They remained married until 2024. They shared a love for casino games and karaoke, and even after their marriage ended, they remained close friends.

After graduating from college, Eddie returned home to Indiana to work for his father's business, Armes Trucking. His original motivation for earning a business degree had been to help manage the family company. Later, he became a general manager for Chuck E. Cheese. He loved telling people that whenever work became stressful, he would put on the Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume and spend time making children smile. During his years in Indiana, he also played on a co-ed fast-pitch softball team simply because he loved the game.

In 1988, Eddie, Roxanne, and Brittany moved to Boston, where Eddie began working for International Health Services. The following year, he entered full-time ministry, fulfilling a lifelong dream. It soon became clear that youth ministry was where he felt called to serve. Having married and become a father as a teenager himself, he believed his life experiences allowed him to connect with young people in meaningful ways.

Over the next 13 years, Eddie served in youth ministry in Boston, Philadelphia, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Indianapolis, and San Diego. Through his ministry, he became known by countless teens and youth leaders around the world. He was known for his huge heart, his willingness to openly share his emotions, and his ability to show young people that serving God could be joyful and fun. Whether playing basketball, softball, cards, or simply spending time with others, Eddie built lifelong friendships and left lasting impressions on those he served.

During those years, Eddie also worked with HOPE Worldwide, taking teens and college students around the world to serve the poor. He led service trips to the Philippines, Mexico, Jamaica, Romania, India, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Africa. He deeply loved serving those in need and found tremendous purpose in this work. He also traveled to Canada, England, and France.

In more recent years, Eddie worked briefly in the financial industry before joining Riverside Pizza and later Collins Hill Golf and Country Club. He especially loved working on the golf course because he received complimentary snacks and collected bags of used golf balls to bring home-something that brought him simple joy.

As his children grew, Eddie treasured coaching their softball, baseball, and basketball teams. He loved attending every activity in their lives-sports, music performances, acting, cheerleading, helping with homework, and school pickups. One of his favorite stories was from the day he picked up Brittany from school when she was about six years old. The school announced over the intercom, "Brittany Armes, your brother is here to pick you up." Eddie loved telling that story because it reminded him how youthful he always looked.

When Eddie reconnected with his oldest daughter, Shawnda, who lived in Indiana, he faithfully drove ten hours each way every month just to spend time with her.

Eddie loved each of his children and their spouses dearly and never missed an opportunity to share a proud father story. Becoming "Papa" brought him even greater joy. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events, cheer competitions, school ceremonies, and celebrations.

He loved calling Shaylee and Carson and having long conversations about their lives. He was convinced that one day Shaylee's beautiful voice would earn her a place on American Idol. He often spoke about Jonnilee's gifts in acting and singing and believed HaiLee would receive a volleyball scholarship. He enjoyed teaching Jackson how to shoot the three-pointer and giving him baseball tips during and after every game.

When Giselle was born, Eddie dropped everything to care for her during the day so Bryce could work and Stephanie could finish high school and continue on to college. Giselle's diapers were the first he had ever changed, and he did so with love. Bryce and Stephanie credited much of their success as young parents to the unwavering support Eddie and Roxanne gave them, which helped shape Giselle's own success. Eddie believed Giselle could one day become President if she wanted to, and he proudly wore his "Bowdoin Papa" hat and sweatshirt.

Four months before his passing, Eddie decided to begin one final adventure by traveling to Manila, Philippines. He and Emma had remained close friends, and she invited him to spend time there. Eddie often described himself as a minimalist, saying, "My dad always said, 'If you've got nothing, no one can take it from you.' When you're a minimalist, things mean nothing-only relationships mean something." Before leaving, he gave away nearly everything he owned except for a single suitcase.

He was excited to spend his days serving others. Through social media, he frequently shared stories of the people he met, the delicious food he enjoyed, the respect young people showed toward adults, and the volunteer work he and Emma were doing together. Fittingly, the country where Eddie first discovered his passion for serving those in need became the setting for his final earthly adventure.

Eddie loved God, his parents, his brothers, his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the countless friends he made around the world. He was known for his love of sports, his deadly three-point shot, his contagious laugh, making others laugh, laughing at his own jokes, and living as a minimalist. He was famous for never ordering food at restaurants and calling his family "bogarts" if they finished their entire meal without leaving him a bite. He loved dancing-especially the Cupid Shuffle and the Wobble-singing karaoke (with favorites including "My Way," "Gangsta's Paradise," and "From This Moment On"), playing Spades, Hearts, and Euchre (occasionally bending the rules if he thought he could get away with it), telling redneck jokes, playing casino games, cheering for the Indianapolis Colts, listening to country music, giving to those in need, studying Scripture, and, above all, loving his family and the Lord.

Although he faced many difficult challenges during the last several years of his life, he continued fighting to find hope and purpose. Eddie's favorite passage of Scripture was Luke 18:18-25. It was deeply important to him that his family and friends know he had spent much of his later years trying to make amends wherever he could. If he had not yet had that opportunity with someone, he would have wanted to. Most importantly, he wanted everyone to know that he had made his peace with God.

Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edward Armes, Sr.; his grandparents, Elrie and Dessie Armes; his grandparents, Carl and Edna Roark; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his mother, Ruth Evangeline "Vangie" Armes; his brothers, Steve Armes (Vicki), Chad Armes (Traci), and Todd Armes (Krista); his daughters, Shawnda Smart (Gus), Brittany Armes Britt (Lewis), and Makhaila Adeshakin (Toon); his son, Bryce Edward Armes; his cherished grandchildren, Shaylee Riggs, Carson Small, Giselle Armes, HaiLee Adeshakin, Jackson Armes, and Jonnilee Worley; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Eddie wanted to be remembered for his humor in every situation, his love for family and friends, and his unwavering love for the Lord. He was a one-of-a-kind man whose generosity, laughter, compassion, and faith touched lives across the world. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

His family finds comfort in knowing that Eddie is finally at peace in the presence of the Lord he loved and served.

Funeral arrangements for Eddie are Wednesday July 15, 2026 at Mississinewa Chapel, Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 200 N. 7th St., Gas City where the family will receive family and friends from 10:00 - 12:00 followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM officiated by his brother Steve Armes, burial will be in Park Cermetery, Fairmount, IN.

Memories and condolences maybe made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com