Roy “Bubba” Armstrong didn’t come out as being a little person. Yes, he wasn’t the biggest guy and his voice wasn’t the loudest.
However, his influence was unparalleled. Armstrong, a cherished resident of Marlette for many years, passed away on Wednesday. He was 67.
Roy “Bubba” Armstrong, a cherished resident of Marlette, passes away at the age of 67.
Jim Marshall, an assistant baseball coach at Marlette, said of him, “He had that combination of longevity and (the ability) to be anyone’s buddy.” And if you were friends with him, you were friends for life. He was an institution, and I don’t believe that’s understating things, according to Neal Bishop, vice president of the Marlette school board.
“He provided the neighborhood with a solid basis. Even if you didn’t know him directly, you probably knew about him for his incredible generosity to everyone. Bubba was a picture of goodness.” Armstrong, who frequently wore a referee’s outfit, was a regular at Red Raiders athletic events for close to 50 years. He always kept himself occupied and oversaw multiple teams.
Armstrong would provide snacks for the scorekeepers and authorities. He occasionally served as the ball boy and occasionally delivered pregame or postgame comments. Taking care of referees was one of his major responsibilities, Marshall added. “He had a reputation for bringing them popcorn and water bottles. It ran on schedule.”
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“He had a reputation for bringing them popcorn and water bottles. It ran on schedule.” Armstrong was good at connecting with people, regardless of which team they supported. Drake S. Okie, the Marlette athletic director, said of him: “He was loved by everyone.” “Marlette wasn’t the only one. Bubba always had a particular spot at any school he went to. Wherever he went, whether it was in Sandusky, Brown City, or Memphis, people always offered a hand to help him. When it came to Bubba, there wasn’t really a rival school.”
