Gary "Bubba" Eldridge, 81, of Hilton Head Island, SC, passed away peacefully in his home June 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Bubba was born March 7,1943, in Peru, IN, to Ken and Thelma (Kirkwood) Eldridge. He was one of four brothers that were known in the neighborhood i as the 4 B's: Butch, Buddy, Billy and Buzzy.
His father received a promotion from C&O Railway which brought them to Hammond, IN. Bubba attended Hammond High School where he starred on the high school's 1960 Mystical State Championship football team as a fullback, linebacker and punter. In addition to football, he was a record-setting shot putter, earning a 3rd place finish in the state meet as a junior and senior.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements in football and shot put. After graduating Hammond High School in 1961, Bubba received a football scholarship to Purdue University, where a knee injury limited his career. He moved back to Hammond where he worked tirelessly to become a well-known name in the pipefitting community.
He began his career at JW Snook, later transitioning to Morrison Construction, where he spent most of his professional life before retiring from Correct Construction. In 2016, he was celebrated by the Chicago Pipefitter's Local 597 for his 50 years of membership. Being a member of this association was extremely important to him.
When he earned his position in management, one thing he never gave up was his pipefitter's card. Bubba.
