Eugene Lamb

Eugene Lamb

Knoxville, TN

Eugene Lamb passed away the morning of March 11, 2018. Born at home in Eagleville, Tennessee 96 years ago, he spent his childhood through adult years at the family residence on Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN. Eugene's faith in God was a priority. He was raised in the Church of Christ and was baptized at age 13. As an adult he served the Lord as a Sunday school teacher, preacher when needed, and even accepted janitorial responsibilities. Eugene and several other Christian men formed the Norwood Church of Christ congregation in 1955, meeting first in the Norwood Fire Hall and then the Norwood Community Building before construction of a meeting place in 1956 on Merchants Drive. He served as a Deacon and then Elder of this congregation.

Eugene attended school in Nashville at Stokes Grammar School, David Lipscomb High School (valedictorian), David Lipscomb Junior College (valedictorian), and Vanderbilt University (valedictorian) where he was awarded the Founders Medal in Engineering in June, 1947.

World War II interrupted Eugene's Vanderbilt years when he volunteered for the Army in 1943. He served in the US Army Air Corps as a meteorologist and flight control officer on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. He was released from active duty in 1946 with rank of Captain.

As a chemical engineer, Eugene was employed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. During his 37 years, he worked on reactor operations and radioisotope processing activities. He traveled internationally several times to make presentations on the peaceful uses of atomic energy. He was a co-inventor of a patent of a "Radioactive Source." He retired in 1985 as Superintendent of the Isotopes Division.

Eugene's hobbies were golf, golf, and more golf. He also enjoyed following the sports of baseball, basketball, and football-particularly the Vanderbilt Commodores. Family vacations were also a big part of his life traveling throughout the United States with the love of his life, Ruth, and two kids, David and Jeanne. He was a quiet man but was highly respected by his friends as a true gentleman, by his colleagues as honorable and trustworthy, and by his family as a loving and giving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and cousin.

Eugene was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Ruth; parents, Monroe Martindale and Nina Mai (Johnson) Lamb; and sister, Gladys Pearl Lamb. He is survived by his son, John David Lamb and wife, Thelma; his daughter, Jeanne Marie Unger and husband, Diehl; his grandson, Eugene Alfredo Bermudo Lamb and wife, Karen; and granddaughter, Rachel Unger Moore and husband, Sean. Eugene is also leaving behind many old friends in the Powell and Norwood communities and new ones at Park Place in Fountain City.

A visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 3:00 p.m. will be held for family and friends on Saturday, March 24, at the Norwood Church of Christ, 6001 Central Avenue Pike, Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice. Cremation and assistance entrusted to Foothills Funeral Home, Maryville, www.foothillsfuneralhome.com.