Donald Lamb

Don Lamb, 79, of Marshalltown, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Iowa Veterans Home. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 the Mitchell Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. The family requests that you come dressed in your Bobcat colors. Don was born in Le Grand, Iowa on November 26, 1936 to Cleo and Helen (Miller) Lamb. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1954 and joined the U.S. Army Airborne 11th Division in 1955. When hard-times forced lay-offs at Dunham-Bush, Don used the G.I. bill to obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He also worked as a teacher and for the U.S. Post Office but, he was most passionate about his work as a coach, umpire and referee for athletic events in Marshalltown, Gladbrook, East Marshall, South Tama and many other communities in the surrounding area. He impacted the lives of many young student-athletes as a sophomore girls basketball coach for Marshalltown High School. His former players recently paid tribute to him as an honoree at the Bobcat Ball Roundhouse renovation event. Don was active as a leader for Boys Scouts of America, local director for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and a spokesman for Mens Rights International. In his free time, Don enjoyed reading westerns, assembling puzzles, playing cribbage and 500. He was especially proud of traveling to all fifty states and Europe. Above all, Don enjoyed family reunions and the special times he was able to spend with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Don often quipped: I lived in the last house, on the last block, and slept in the back bedroom on tough street. Yet, he considered himself a very lucky person for the love of family and friends that surrounded him. Don is survived by his children: Cyndie Lamb of West Des Moines, Jeffrey (Kate) Lamb of Marshalltown, LeAnn Lamb of West Des Moines and Daniel (Alice) Lamb of Bondurant. Grandchildren: Kiara Brooks, Justin (Kylie) Claycomb, Amber (Casey) Olson and Nikki Lamb. Great grandchildren: Kacy, Jackson, Cameron and Kai. Siblings: Shirley (Tony) Sternola, Gary (Judy) Lamb, Larry (Sam) Good and Ken (Peg) Lamb. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Don is preceded in death by his daughter Peggy Littrell, his parents Cleo and Helen, granddaughter Charlet Brooks and siblings Elaine Budke and Rich Lamb. Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later time. Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown is caring for Don and his family. For more information, visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641- 844-1234.