SOUTH POINT — In less than a year, the village of South Point has lost another leader.

Mayor Bob Armstrong, 73, died suddenly at his home Monday. Armstrong had taken over the reins of the village he had called home since 1967 upon the death of longtime Mayor Bill Gaskin.

Armstrong who had gone on the village council in the late 1960s became mayor in February, after being named acting mayor late last year because of Gaskin’s illness.

“What a wonderful man, such an important part of our community,” Dr. Bill Dingus, executive of the Lawrence Economic Development Corp., said this morning.

Dingus had spoken to Armstrong Monday on a drainage project the mayor was spearheading.

“We were working on trying to finalize plans on a major drainage program to eliminate the flooding in South Point,” Dingus said. “He did it for his people. He was truly a positive leader, had great integrity, wanting to make South Point and Lawrence County a better place.”

Ronald West who went on the village council 13 years ago, called Armstrong a great man. The two were members of First Southern Baptist Church.

“He was my best friend,” West said. “He was honest. He is a brother in Christ, a good man.”

Armstrong, who had a history of heart problems, had been sealing his driveway when he was stricken with a massive heart attack.

Pat Leighty, village administrator, said he had talked with the mayor that afternoon. He remembered Armstrong for his integrity.

“Bob was honest,” Leighty said. “He was the type of person who was the quiet giant. He always had the village at heart. A lot of times he could have voted on what would do him good. He always had the village at heart.”