Thomas Fredrick Lamb

Our family still can't believe our Tom-Tom is gone. It has taken a while to announce this, but Thomas Fredrick Lamb (my Tom-Tom) lost his battle with brain cancer on February 20, 2024. Tom was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 7th, 1960 to Barbara and Alan Lamb. During his childhood, after his mom and dad divorced, his mom decided to move to Ainsworth Nebraska with her three children, Tom, Theresa, and Marcie. He graduated from Ainsworth High in 1978, made many friends in Ainsworth, and decided he wanted to build homes for a living. He graduated from Technical School and before you knew it, he created his own business as a contractor in 1984. He moved to Spokane, WA, and became well-known for his home-building skills. He had a passion for remodeling homes that were worn down and transformed them into a home that sparkled and shined again. One of his passions was his work and he was very good at it. Since day one, he always told me he would never retire. His career highlights included: Building his custom home in 1994. In 1998, he was a Certified Graduate Remodeler and was involved in the Dart Lo Project (Preschool shelter) In 2000 he was Remodelors Council Chair. In 2003 he was President of Spokane Home Builders Association. In 2007 He was the director of the Apprenticeship Committee. He was also recognized as Spokane Home Builders Association Remodeler of the year in 2001, 2002, and 2004 Tom also served as an employer representative on the Apprenticeship Training Trust Board from 2005-2018. He even began teaching the 3rd and 4th-year students in 2016 and continued working to teach advanced carpentry skills through 2018. One of his long-term projects was building a detailed bunkhouse with these students. He was a hardworking, generous, loving man who always wanted to provide and help others and everywhere he went he was sure to make many friends. During his career years, he married for the first time and soon after, lost his one and only son during infancy. After that tragic event, he decided to adopt two beautiful girls. The marriage didn't last but his love for his girls was tremendous and was strong for both to the very end. He was a single dad for almost 10 years and did all in his power to love and care for them and be the best dad he could be. He was always there for every sporting event and he helped them grow into strong women. He taught his youngest, Callie, a few carpentry skills and often did it just to spend time with her. After many years of being single, he decided to check out Eharmony and he immediately chose me. We instantly had an interest in each other, and even as he mourned for his mother that same year, he never gave up on our very new relationship. He decided to go to California and meet me. He said I was the one, within a few days of knowing each other. We married in 2019, a few months later after we met. And although we were total opposites, our love, and passion for each other were like a true love story. I often didn't believe how much he loved me and he tried his hardest to show me every chance he could get. I will always remember him as the king of huge bonfires, the chef of all chefs, a master builder of homes, and a loyal family man who adored his daughters because family meant everything to him. Even as stubborn as we both were at times, he was my sweetheart and I was the love of his life. Just after 3 years of being married, we learned he had lymphoma. He was confident enough that he knew he would beat it, and he did. Even while going through chemo and radiation, he still was our provider and managed a job while sick in bed, just to keep us financially going. Sadly, just four months after ringing the cancer bell, we then learned it came back in the brain. His cancer was relentless and fast this time because it was in the brain. The second time around, he was still confident he would beat it, but he didn't tell many people about his brain cancer. Cancer quickly took over and he just lost a lot of his mental and physical functions. Our family is in disbelief that it happened so quickly. He had so many friends I did not know about. The wonderful stories they've shared with me as they grew up with him. The stories I've learned of him helping out his friends and providing shelter for them for many years and not once did he ever ask for help. He was a generous man who provided for his family, and friends, and always a loyal husband and caring father. His passion was his family, caring for his beautiful home and garden, his career, and traveling. We both wished we would head down to Mexico this year for some of his favorite foods. TACOS! We will miss his presence for a long time, his deep voice that made us feel safe and secure, and his long hugs that would make us feel so loved and even crack our backs and relieved tension at the same time. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 pm at Cheney Funeral Chapel. A Reception will follow at 12702 W 4th Avenue, Airway Heights, WA 99001

Thomas Fredrick Lamb

January 7, 1960 - February 20, 2024