Jose G. Armilla, Jr.
November 18, 1934 ~ April 8, 2016
Jos G. Armilla, beloved father, grandfather, brother, husband, and friend passed away on April 8, 2016 at the age of 81.
Born on November 18, 1934, in Cebu City, Philippines to his parents Jos and Adela Armilla, Jose attended the University of the Philippines from 1951-1954 then came to the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Oregon in 1955. Jos went on to earn his Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Michigan in three years. He began a career in academia in 1960 as a professor and Department Head at Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico, where he met and married his wife of 55 years, Ruth Daniel. The newlyweds moved to Greenville, Pennsylvania where Jose was a professor and department head at Thiel College and Ruth gave birth to their daughter, Arlene. Later Jose moved the family to Alexandria, Virginia where he worked at George Washington University (GWU) and became the proud father of son, Alex. Earlier that year, Jose became a U.S. naturalized citizen. Jose's continued work in research led to a position in Bangkok, Thailand with the Military Research and Development Command (MRDC) where the family enjoyed living in Southeast Asia a precursor for Jose's next career move. He became a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and began his career of diplomatic service both in the United States and abroad. He was assigned to important listening posts overseas, interacting constantly with local leaders. His assignments included Manila, Philippines, Saigon, Vietnam and Concepcion, Chile with travels to Southeast Asia, Western Europe, Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. After over 25 years as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the United States Information Agency (USIA), Jos retired and actively pursued his love of exploring, understanding other cultures or subjects, writing articles for the Foreign Service Journal, attending events with the American Foreign Service Association and serving in his community. He served on the Board of Directors for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS, Inc.) and a local chapter of NAMI. He authored the book, "Negotiate with Feng Shui: Enhance your Skills in Diplomacy, Business and Relationships which has been translated into several languages. He loved spending time with family and friends and maintained his close friendships which he cherished. Jose and Ruth also enjoyed travels abroad and visits to see their grandsons and family at their various USMC duty stations. Jose also became a certified scuba diver and parasailed in Acapulco, always one to try new things as his latest endeavor was Tai Chi. Jos is survived by his wife, Ruth; sister, Carmen Lavender; son, Alex Armilla; daughter and son-in-law Arlene and Pat Campbell, and grandsons Shane Armilla Campbell and Luke Armilla Campbell.
Services will be held at Money and King Funeral Home on Saturday, April 16, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jose's name to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS, Inc), NAMI and the American Cancer Society. Please sign our online guestbook.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Born on November 18, 1934, in Cebu City, Philippines to his parents Jos and Adela Armilla, Jose attended the University of the Philippines from 1951-1954 then came to the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Oregon in 1955. Jos went on to earn his Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Michigan in three years. He began a career in academia in 1960 as a professor and Department Head at Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico, where he met and married his wife of 55 years, Ruth Daniel. The newlyweds moved to Greenville, Pennsylvania where Jose was a professor and department head at Thiel College and Ruth gave birth to their daughter, Arlene. Later Jose moved the family to Alexandria, Virginia where he worked at George Washington University (GWU) and became the proud father of son, Alex. Earlier that year, Jose became a U.S. naturalized citizen. Jose's continued work in research led to a position in Bangkok, Thailand with the Military Research and Development Command (MRDC) where the family enjoyed living in Southeast Asia a precursor for Jose's next career move. He became a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and began his career of diplomatic service both in the United States and abroad. He was assigned to important listening posts overseas, interacting constantly with local leaders. His assignments included Manila, Philippines, Saigon, Vietnam and Concepcion, Chile with travels to Southeast Asia, Western Europe, Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. After over 25 years as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the United States Information Agency (USIA), Jos retired and actively pursued his love of exploring, understanding other cultures or subjects, writing articles for the Foreign Service Journal, attending events with the American Foreign Service Association and serving in his community. He served on the Board of Directors for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS, Inc.) and a local chapter of NAMI. He authored the book, "Negotiate with Feng Shui: Enhance your Skills in Diplomacy, Business and Relationships which has been translated into several languages. He loved spending time with family and friends and maintained his close friendships which he cherished. Jose and Ruth also enjoyed travels abroad and visits to see their grandsons and family at their various USMC duty stations. Jose also became a certified scuba diver and parasailed in Acapulco, always one to try new things as his latest endeavor was Tai Chi. Jos is survived by his wife, Ruth; sister, Carmen Lavender; son, Alex Armilla; daughter and son-in-law Arlene and Pat Campbell, and grandsons Shane Armilla Campbell and Luke Armilla Campbell.
Services will be held at Money and King Funeral Home on Saturday, April 16, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jose's name to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS, Inc), NAMI and the American Cancer Society. Please sign our online guestbook.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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I am so sorry for your loss. I just found out. Jose was a Peace Maker, he tried to reach out to the family, to be a bridge hoping to heal old wounds. Those wounds are so deep, never to be forgotten, I hope in my lifetime we can make peace
Many thanks for your accurate and heartfelt words. My prayer has been for reconciliation for years …we have to move forward and seek unity in our family. I’m sorry to have seen this 4 years later. Yet it is a gift during the COVID pandemic and I’ll contact you. I’m sorry for the loss of your brother Michael in 2019.