Lloyd Emmett Lamb
Lloyd Emmett Lamb, age 93, of Helena, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at St. Peter’s Hospital.
The family will receive friends between 5 and 7 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m Thursday, October 20, 2011. Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2011, at Holy Cross Church, 449 North Hoback, Helena, Montana, with Fr. Martin Skierka as Celebrant. A second Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 22 at the Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel in Miles City, Montana with the Rite of Burial following at Calvary Cemetery in Miles City, Montana.
Lloyd Emmett Lamb was born in Helena on May 25, 1918, the son of Benjamin Earl Lamb and Helen (Leffler) Lamb. He attended grade school in Helena. Later, following his father’s transfer by the NP Railroad, he finished his schooling in Butte graduating from Butte High School in 1936. Following high school, he worked as night clerk at the Tate Hotel and later as a book-keeper for the Metals Bank and Trust Company of Butte, Montana.
In December 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He was commissioned in 1943 and assigned to the 8th Air Force and stationed in England. He piloted 30 combat missions over Europe in the B-17 Flying Fortress. His final mission occurred on D-day. He flew 25 different airframes while on active duty. His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Overseas Service Bars, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and EAME Theatre Ribbon with three Bronze Stars. In addition, he was given a personal letter of recognition from General Curtis E. LeMay for his service.
Following his tour of duty overseas, he returned to Great Falls, Montana where he was assigned to the 557th AAF Base Unit, Gore Field (ATC). He married Katherine Ann Shields at St. Patrick’s church in Butte, Montana on April 12, 1945. Lloyd was honorably discharged from the US Army Air Force in October 1945. In 1946, he and Kay moved from Great Falls to Helena. Into this union were born Earl, Anthony, Kathy and Arthur.
Lloyd worked at the Ford Motor Company until October 1946 when he joined Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company. He retired from Mountain Bell in 1980.
Lloyd enjoyed working on his father’s ranch in Whitehall, Montana. He was an avid fisherman and loved to fly-fish on the Jefferson and Madison Rivers near the family ranch. He enjoyed woodworking all his life. He cut the trees and milled the lumber from them which he and Kay used to build the family home at 1231 Hauser Boulevard. They lived there almost 50 years raising all their children.
His first wife, Kay, passed away in 1992. In 1993 he married Betty Ann (Roberts) Weber. They lived in Helena and Seeley Lake, Montana. Into this union were added daughters Judy (Weber) Spiro, and Joann (Weber) Naify. Betty passed away in 2009.
Lloyd was from a pioneer Montana family. His aunt and uncle, John and Maggie Gavin, homesteaded and ranched near Kinsey, Montana in the early years of Custer County. His grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Lamb, was one of the first residents of Miles City in the late 1870’s. In a book Ben wrote with co-author Lucius Nutting entitled Raw Country, he recalls the early years of Miles Town as seen through the eyes of a cowboy, buffalo hunter, scout, and rancher. The following excerpt from Raw Country, seems a most fitting tribute for Lloyd’s passing:
To Our Fellow Pioneers
We die not all, for our deeds remain, to crown with glory or to mar with shame. Through endless sequence of years to come, Our lives will speak when our lips are dumb.
Lloyd was a proud Montanan and believed in the integrity of a man’s word and handshake.
His survivors include: sister-in-law Eileen (Shields) Gaved of Pocatello, Ida.; children, Judy (Steve) Spiro of Danbury Conn., Joann (Jack) Naify of San Mateo, Calif., Lloyd Earl (Rosemary) Lamb of Vacaville, Calif., Tony (Therese) Lamb of Helena, Mont., Kathy Lamb of Billings, Mont., and Art Lamb of Billings, Mont.; four grandchildren; Veronica (Russ) Ruggiero of Vacaville, Calif., John, Daniel, and Minnie Lamb of Helena, Mont.,
and one great-grandchild Adriana Ruggiero of Vacaville, Calif.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Earl and Helen, and step-mother Mary (O’Neil) Lamb; his wives Katherine and Betty Lamb, one brother Franklin Earl Lamb; and sister-in-law Geri Lamb.
As a token of sympathy, masses are suggested to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 449 North Hoback St., Helena, Montana 59601; Hospice of St. Peter’s c/o St. Peter’s Hospital 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; The Montana Military Museum, P.O. Box 125, Fort Harrison, MT 59636-0125; or the Range Riders Museum, 435 LP Anderson Rd, Miles City, Montana 59301. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Bonnie Isaak says
Kathy, I was so sorry to hear about your dad. I enjoyed working with him at Ma Bell
David Campbell says
My condolences on your loss. Growing up on tne 1200 block of Hauser and knowing your neighbors will always bring good memories…
George and Jackie Lloyd says
Sorry to hear about your Dad.
We are in Az.
George and Jackie Lloyd
Helen Richter says
To the Lamb family:
I was sorry to learn that Lloyd passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
God Bless
Helen Richter
Helena Montana
Jim and Marguerite says
Catherine Whitney called and told us of your father’s passing. Then Jim found it on the computer. You can be assureds of our prayers. We were glad that you had an opportunity to help him get back in the faith. We will send mass stipends to the church suggested. Keep in touch. Love and Christ’s peace, Jim and Marguerite
Michael McVeigh says
I am so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. My family always enjoyed the times spent with your family when we used to come to your home on Hauser Blvd. I remember playing with Tony and Kathy in the basement while our parents were upstairs visiting and enjoying eacg other’s company. My Father thought an awful lot of your Father because not only were they good friends, but they also spent many years working together at the telephone company. Your father will always be in my thoughts and prayers, as will your whole family.
Michael McVeigh says
I am so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. My family always enjoyed the times spent with your family when we used to come to your home on Hauser Blvd. I remember playing with Tony and Kathy in the basement while our parents were upstairs visiting and enjoying each other’s company. My Father thought an awful lot of your Father because not only were they good friends, but they also spent many years working together at the telephone company. Your father will always be in my thoughts and prayers, as will your whole family.
Rick Holman says
I just read of Lloyds passing. I don’t know if any would remember the Holman family but I remember Lloyd so very well. My grandmother Millie Holman worked for Lloyds parents. You have my deepest sympathy.
Scott Corey says
I want to send my sympathies to all of the Lamb family. I went to school with Tony in Bozeman, living on 5th floor Roskie. I met Lloyd one weekend when he was visiting Tony. He was a very kind, friendly man, with a great sense of humor. He will certainly be missed by all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tony, and all of your family.