Beloved father and grandfather Lee Roy Armstrong, age 93, passed away​ ​peacefully in Eureka on January 20, 2026.​ ​

Lee was born on July 31, 1932 and became the cherished son of Cora and Mervin​ Armstrong of Eureka. He attended school in Humboldt County, and graduated​ ​ from Eureka Senior High. As a teenager, Lee met his future wife and the love of​ ​ his life, Lucille, while she was washing her car in the alley between their homes.​

As a young man Lee was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, where he​ ​ served as a colonel’s driver for two years. After returning from the war he​ ​continued to spend time with Lucille and on June 10, 1956, they married at the​ ​First Christian Church of Eureka. They had two precious children, a daughter,​ ​Bonnie and soon after a son, Steven. Their 61 years of marriage were truly special,​ ​ filled with good-natured teasing, laughter and a lot of love.​

​Lee dedicated 50 years of his life to auto body repair and painting, becoming a​ ​ manager and running local shops. He made many friends in his career and was ​ ​truly loved by those who worked with him and under him.​ ​

Lee was a man of extraordinary character who was always willing to help a friend​ ​in need. His kind heart and generosity kept him very active after retirement. He ​ ​frequently spent his time tackling various projects for those around him. His ​ ​passion for craftsmanship extended to the classroom in the 1980s, when he taught ​ ​night classes at College of the Redwoods to pass on his professional skill set in the ​ ​auto body trade. Outside of work and service, he had a well-known and lifelong ​ ​appreciation for his shiny Cadillac.​

​Lee’s greatest joys in life were music and fishing. He regularly attended the​ ​Humboldt Jazz Festival, Summer Concert Series and enjoyed dancing at the Moose​ ​Lodge. He spent countless hours on the water of the Eel River, the local lagoons ​ ​and ocean fishing for salmon. Lee was a skilled fisherman and usually luckier than​ ​those around him! When Lee brought home a thirty pound salmon, his wife Lucille ​ ​would use her filleting skills to prepare dinner and give fish to friends and family.​​

Lee spent much of his time fishing with his son and grandsons, who will always treasure that time with him.

Lee was preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille Nadine Armstrong, parents ​ ​Cora and Mervin Armstrong and sisters Rita Armstrong and Dorothy Imus. He is ​ ​survived by his two children Steven (Kathleen) Armstrong and Bonnie (John) ​ ​Jameson; four grandchildren, Kenny Jameson (Denny Edmonson), Kevin Jameson​ ​ (Whitney Burgess Green), David Armstrong and Abby Armstrong (Ryan Cassidy); ​and great-grandchildren Josie, Landen, Corbin, Addy and Nolan.​

Lee was a wonderful person to all. He took great pride in everything he did, built a​ ​ life that was inspiring to others, and passed his knowledge and skills to his family ​ ​and friends. While he will be dearly missed, his smile and laughter will never be ​ ​forgotten.​

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lee Roy Armstrong’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.