Thomas M. Armour, a retired claims examiner for the Social Security Administration, died Friday after a heart attack while attending the races at Pimlico. He was 69 and lived on Forest Glen Road.

Services for Mr. Armour were being held today at Heritage United Church of Christ, 3106 Liberty Heights Ave.

He retired 20 years ago, after five years as a claims examiner for the Social Security Administration. Earlier, he worked for the Maryland Employment Security Program, and from 1960 to 1961, he taught biology at Douglass High School.

Mr. Armour served in the Army twice, from 1942 to 1945 and again from 1949 to 1960. He reached the rank of captain.

After World War II, he attended North Carolina Central College and earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in public health. He was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

He is survived by his wife, the former Clara Wall; a son, Leon Armour of Fairfax, Va.; a daughter, Dr. Karen M. Armour of Baltimore; five sisters, Pearl Satterfield of Bowling Green, Ky., Doris Sampson of Milwaukee, and Ida Gamble, Vernia Martin and Judy Wilkes, all of Indianapolis; a brother, Morris Armour of Indianapolis; and a grandson.