Thousands dress informally at funeral to honor Sparks mayor

SPARKS - There were no black suits or ties at Sparks Mayor Tony Armstrong's funeral.

About 2,000 people showed up at Saturday's service in casual attire to honor the man hailed as the "people's mayor," someone who shunned formal dress.

Even the pastor and Gov. Kenny Guinn got in the spirit by wearing Hawaiian shirts. Others honored the family's request to dress down by wearing blue jeans, khaki pants, golf shirts and cowboy boots.

Armstrong, an avid golfer who took annual vacations to Hawaii with his wife, died Jan. 29 from complications after surgery. He was 59.

"We made a promise to Tony that it wouldn't be some somber, depressing deal," said Sparks Christian Fellowship Pastor Randy Siever, who presided over the service at a high school gymnasium. "Usually people dress up at funerals as a show of respect. But you know Tony. This (casual attire) is our sign of respect."

U.S. Sen. John Ensign and other speakers praised Armstrong's leadership of the city of 80,000 just east of Reno and his ability to connect to people.

Ensign, R-Nev., wore a blazer and shirt without tie. He also dressed in casual slacks and cowboy boots.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who graduated just ahead of Armstrong at Sparks High School, wore a letterman's jacket of sorts.

"I think Tony would have been so touched that people paid close attention to the request (for casual attire)," family spokeswoman Adrienne Bemus said. "This was a true way to celebrate Tony's life. It was what the family wanted and I think they are so touched."

Armstrong was elected mayor in 1999 and was in the middle of his second term when he died. He was elected as councilman in 1989 and re-elected twice.

He died after doctors detected a blood clot in a major vein leading to his liver. The clot was a complication from surgery in December to remove an enlarged spleen that resulted from a bone marrow disorder.

State Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, described Armstrong as someone who was down to earth and not a politician.

"Most politicians have big egos. He didn't have an ego," Washington said.

Blue Bower, a Sparks-area tree surgeon who attends Armstrong's church, agreed: "It was never Mr. Mayor. It was only Tony. He loved this casual thing."