Richard "Rick" Stubblefield

Richard "Rick" Stubblefield, a fixture and volunteer for youth sports throughout the city of Watsonville for over 5 decades, passed away in his home on December 14, 2024. Mr. Stubblefield was 73 years old. Mr. Stubblefield was never married or had children; however, he touched thousands of lives and left a lasting legacy. The community was his family. He was everywhere, and everyone knew him. He was born on August 21, 1951, in Watsonville, CA. He attended Salsipuedes School and later Watsonville High School, where he graduated in 1969. He was later inducted in the Watsonville High School Foundation Hall of Fame in 2009. Rick began to make his impact in the community as a youngster with Salisipuedes Little League in the late 1950's and then later as a teenager began a long and fulfilling career with Little League baseball volunteering as an announcer and statistician. He was a proud manager of his champion Braves baseball teams at Salsi Little League and always cherished reunions with past players that he coached. Mr. Stubblefield later served in many capacities with Little League in the Watsonville Community over the past 50 years that included Board member, Scorekeeper, Announcer, Manager, and Board President. He was instrumental in merging what was then Watsonville National Little League and Salsipuedes Little League to a new league in the early 2000's that now is called Pajaro Valley Little League. To celebrate his over 50 years of service to Little League baseball, there is a field named after him located at Franich Park in Watsonville named Richard Stubblefield Field or simply called "The Rick". He loved being around the kids and watching them grow into teenagers and young adults. But he had a real love and passion for the role of scorekeeper and announcer. He loved having the kids come up to the booth and say hello. But his passion for announcing wasn't just for Little Leaguers. Mr. Stubblefield became a regular fixture in the football booth and at center court throughout the city of Watsonville as one the primary public address announcers for Watsonville High School sports. He also announced for Pajaro Valley High and St. Francis High whenever he was asked and had an open date on his busy schedule. He was honored over the last few years to be chosen by the Central Coast Section to announce both CCS championship games in basketball at Menlo School in Atherton as well as most recently the CCS championship football game at Rabobank Stadium. Rick could be seen each Holiday season "ringing the bell" for The Salvation Army at local stores as well as volunteering every year for the St. Jude’s Telethon. He had a distinguished career as a payroll specialist for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District and also served in that same capacity for other local businesses. He was an avid sports fan and always shared his opinions about his beloved San Francisco Giants and 49ers on social media platforms such as (X) and Facebook. Mr. Stubblefield leaves behind a brother, Larry, from Montana and a nephew, James, from Watsonville as well as a loving Watsonville community. He is predeceased by his mother Wilma and three of his brothers – Bill, Mike, and Ronnie. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, February 2nd at the main gym located at Watsonville High School from 1-4 pm.
Mehls Colonial Chapel was entrusted with handling arrangements