James Allan Lamb

If something is broken around your house and you want to call Jim to fix it, forget it because James Allan Lamb, carrying an armload of zip ties, Allen wrenches and electrician's tape, was called away suddenly on January 2, 2016 to help hold up heaven. But his spirit of hard work and resourcefulness will carry on with his wife Dorothy of 34 years and their children, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, as well as extended family of relations and friends spread all over the US.

Jim began his journey March 22, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA to Oscar "Dock" and Addie Mae Lamb where he grew up with 2 brothers (Cornell & Roy) and 3 sisters (Barbara & Carol) and developed an affinity for Philly-style hoagies. He attended Bensalem High School where he met Ruth Watts and joined the Air Force. Together, they married, moved to Florida, then settled in Utah, and raised 3 kids.

He retired from the AF to take his tinkering skills to Mountain Bell where he met (and married) Dorothy Carter and her 4 daughters. He returned to serve in the Air Guard until he retired from Ma Bell, then worked full-time in the Air Guard until his retirement after 41 yrs.

Jim was a proud military man who especially loved to read about the influence of black soldiers in the United States military landscape and fancied himself a Buffalo Soldier. His collection of Buffalo Soldier statuettes is quite impressive. He loved the camaraderie among the troops and made lasting friendships and even became a father figure for some.

Jim was a carnivore, smoked lots of meat, and loved peppers, which he grew and preserved himself. Anyone visiting his house could smell him cooking. You could get a full plate of potatoes and meat which were cooked together in many different ways but were always hot and spicy. He was a master of the hoagie and even hosted hoagie making parties.

Jim worked a lot outside and would grow all the vegetables you wanted, but he wasn't gonna eat many of them. He had fruit tree and a large water fountain which he decorated with various garden sculptures both in and around the water. He loved gadgets that monitored the weather, although he still used a flip phone, was generous with his time, money and resources, and anointed all he loved with a nickname.

Besides his wife and mother, Jim is survived by his children: Paula (husband Pierre Kirby, children Shasta' & Ne'cole); Keith (children Chaneece & Aubrey); Brent (wife Elaine, children Marcus & Quentin); Shamim Backus (George, children Shay & Markeis); and step-daughters Jo Ann (Scott) Edmonds, Marlene (John) Mayo, Twila Hill (Victor), Valerie Kimble and the many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and 2 brothers, as well as his grandson Tyron (Paula & Pierre) Kirby, his daughter in-law Stacey (Keith) Lamb, and his step-son in-law Robert (Valerie) Kimble. We are sure that he is cooking for them a couple of meals with a big beverage on the side, and has taken everyone 4-wheelin'.

A viewing will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary at 1007 West South Jordan Prkwy on January 10 from 4-6:30, & again January 11 from 9:30-10:30 before funeral services at 11 am. Interment will be at Camp Williams Vet Cemetery, but his spirit will be riding a RZR all over Soapstone.

Funeral services for James Lamb will be webcast on January 11th beginning at 10:30 AM MST. To watch these services live, scroll down to the "Video" Section of this obituary.

Funeral Home:
Jenkins-Soffe South Valley
1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy.
South Jordan, UT 84095