Armen George Oumedian, age 94 of Grand Rapids, engineer, businessman and philanthropist, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 29, 2018, through Faith Hospice at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital. Armen was born in Grand Rapids, youngest son of Sarah (Kurkjian) and Leo Oumedian. He grew up on the northwest side and graduated from Union HS in 1941. He graduated from GRJC in 1943 and proceeded to join the US Army Infantry Division. While in the Army, Armen became a Staff Sergeant and was wounded in Germany in 1944. He was awarded a Purple Heart. Prior to being discharged, he married the love of his life, Patricia Welch, in July 1944 in Denver, CO and they enjoyed almost 67 years of love and devotion, until Pat’s death in 2011. After serving his country in the Army, and attending Texas A & M while in the Army, he attended GMI (Kettering) and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Armen began his career employed at GM Diesel Equipment Division followed by more than 25 years at Rapistan, where he retired as a Senior VP in charge of sales and engineering. He then joined some long time associates and began a new career at Pinnacle Automation/Alvey in St. Louis, MO and retired again at age 80. Armen was always looking for ways to give back to the community and to organizations that were, or became, near and dear to he and his dear wife Pat’s heart. They created the Armen G. and Patricia P. Oumedian Family Foundation at the GR Community Foundation, which provides many student scholarships in the Grand Rapids area and at Kettering University. They also supported GR Community College, Salvation Army, GR Public Schools Challenge Scholars at Harrison Park (his grade school alma mater), Porter Hills, Dementia Friendly GR, St. Mary’s Hospital, Metro Hospital, Hope College, and Kids’ Food Basket, et al. Armen is survived by his three children, Pam (Terry) Roach, Kathey (Ed Ladwig) Klein, Dan (Sue) Oumedian. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Steve (Lindsay) Roach, Katie (Mark) Krause, Joe (Liz) Klein, Rita (Ben) Johnson, David (Leah) Klein, Kaylin Klein, Tricia (Tim) Kragt, Dan (Maria) Oumedian. Armen has also been blessed with twelve great grandchildren. Armen was also a special uncle to Tom Oumedian and Judy Oumedian. He had many special friends, too many to name, but none more special than “The Club”. Armen was preceded in death by his brothers Jacob and John, his beloved wife Patricia, his grandchildren Jamie Napieralski and Kerry Ann Klein. Armen and his family will be forever grateful for the love and support he received from the wonderful staff at Porter Hills, especially Marianne and Paige, along with the staff at Spectrum Butterworth and Denise and the staff at Faith Hospice. Armen’s goal in life was to be remembered as someone, “Who Made A Difference!” And he did!!! Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 134 N. Division, Grand Rapids, MI. Rev. Val Ambrose and Rev. Susan York officiating. Friends may meet the family at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel at 3980 Cascade Rd. on Tuesday, April 3 between 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Patricia P. and Armen G. Oumedian Family Fund at the GR Community Foundation (www.givegr.org/oumedian)
