Nov. 22, 1930 — March 22, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Roy Ira Sutton II, who unexpectedly passed away on March 22 at his residence in Ashland. He was 94. His family and friends are deeply saddened by his sudden death.

Roy is survived by his sons David, Steven, Gregory, and Matthew, and his two grandchildren, Catherine and Jonathan. He will also be lovingly remembered by his niece, Sissy Saxon, his nephew Sonny Wallace, another nephew’s wife, Teddy Spiller Wilson, and by countless friends and colleagues he met in Ashland, the San Francisco Bay Area and from other parts of the country.

Roy was born on Nov. 22, 1930, to Roy Ira I and Mildred Sutton in Los Angeles. He was the youngest of four, with three older sisters, Mildred, Iris and Madeline. Roy grew up in Hollywood and attended high school there. He studied mathematics, receiving a B.A. from UCLA and an M.S. from Stanford University.

Assisted John Wooden at UCLA

In addition, he also served as the manager for the UCLA Bruins basketball team, coached by the legendary John Wooden.

Roy met his future wife, Marge, on a company ski trip while they both worked at the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, California. They began dating, attended multiple Sierra Club outings together, and married on June 8, 1957.

In 1958, they moved to East Palo Alto and two years later to Los Altos, California, where they raised their family. Roy and Marge fostered their children’s interest in sports and playing musical instruments. They also took their children on car camping and backpacking trips throughout the western United States, exposing them to the wonders and beauty of wilderness areas.

During his career, Roy worked as a computer systems analyst for several organizations, including the Rand Corp., Stanford Research Institute, Pacific Telephone and National Semiconductor. As part of his lifelong quest to stay fit and healthy, he would bike long distances to work and spend lunch breaks at local recreation centers playing basketball, running and doing other activities.

Leaped into Ashland activities

In 2004, Roy and Marge retired to Ashland, where they both leaped into community activities such as singing in a choir at the Unity Community of Ashland and attending and volunteering as ushers for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Throughout their time in Ashland, they loved visiting Lithia Park, and Roy also loved jogging there. Over time, he became increasingly active in his community, as a performer in local theater, as a classic films instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Southern Oregon University, as the former chairman of the board of Siskiyou Violins, and as a musical events producer for the Mountain Meadows retirement community and at other venues within and near Ashland.

Throughout his life, but particularly during his later years, Roy was a strong advocate of the benefits of exercise. During the last several years, Roy took up sprinting, the 50-meter dash being his favorite event. His fans, including his four sons and two grandchildren, affectionately referred to him as Rapid Roy and cheered him on at his sprinting competitions. He competed in national competitions throughout Oregon and other parts of the U.S. Some of his noteworthy successes included placing third in the 2023 National Senior Games 100-meter dash for participants 90 to 94 years old, and third again at the 2025 National Senior Games Indoor Championships 60-meter dash.

Roy was a lifelong advocate and generous supporter for the environment, the arts, democracy and social justice. He was a devoted husband of over 60 years, a supportive father and grandfather, and a tireless advocate for music, exercise, and the arts. Roy inspired countless people by his efforts. He was a kind and caring man, and his family and friends miss him deeply and celebrate his many achievements.

Celebration of life

Please join Roy’s family for a livestream of his celebration of life service from 2:30 to 5 p.m. April 26 at the following link: evt.live/celebration-of-life-service-for-roy-ira-sutton-ii

Roy supported over 60 local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any one of the following organizations:

• Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org or call (800) 272-3900
• Southern Poverty Law Center: splcenter.org or write to 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104
• American Civil Liberties Union: aclu.org
• James M. Collier Siskiyou Violins: siskiyouviolins.org/donations

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Related story: Ninety-three year-old sprinter from Ashland encourages everyone to get out and move (Jefferson Public Radio, Aug. 1, 2024)