Ray Allan Lamb, 81

On Sept. 15, 2025, Ray Allan Lamb had a very short bout of pancreatic cancer with pneumonia and passed away suddenly with his wife, Cathy, at his side. Ray was 81 at his passing.

Ray was born in Tacoma, Wash., to Ray E. Lamb and Mary D. (Fattu) Lamb in 1943. Ray graduated Ingraham High School in Seattle, Wash. He went on to the University of Idaho where he met his future wife, Catherine A. (Brooks) Lamb. While both attended the U of I, they were married in Sandpoint at the First Presbyterian Church in 1965. Ray and Cathy celebrated 60 years of marriage Aug. 28, 2025, with family and friends. After his bachelor of science degree in education, Ray went on to get his master's degree in school counseling while they lived in Deary, Idaho.

In the U.S. Army, he was Captain Ray A. Lamb, Military Intelligence Branch. This all took him to Fort Benning, Ga., Baltimore, Md. – Intelligence School, and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

The Big Event in Ray’s life was being a father in 1972. Michael Allan Lamb was born in Sierra Vista, Ariz., to Ray and Cathy Lamb.

Ray started as a counselor in the Mountain Home, Idaho School District, along with two other districts for several years. He became the Mountain Home School Districts “Director of Pupil Personnel” for 35-plus years. He was active in the Principals of Idaho Group. 

He was very active in many outdoors activities, fishing, jet skiing, snow skiing, hiking, biking. All these activities with his wife, Cathy; his son, Mike, and wife Christina and grandkids; and friends and neighbors.

Retirement was fun with the HOAs. Ray and Cathy took their motorhome from Sandpoint, Idaho, on a five-week trip through Canada, Dawson Creek, on to the ALCAN highway to Tok Junction, up to Alaska! Anchorage, Fairbanks and back to Idaho!

He hiked to the top of Mount Borah — thanks to John and Ed.

Ray is survived by his wife, Catherine; son, Michael and wife, Christina; grandkids Sydney and Aidan Scott, Rudy, Peter, Jessica and Jasper; Ray’s sister, Mitzi and husband John Gimberg; Aunt Betty and nieces and nephews, along with Ray’s dog — Dakota!

Memorial may be made to Better Together Animal Alliance, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, Ponderay, ID 83864.

There will be a short ceremony with family and friends on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at the River, Wooded Acres Commons area (across the street from the Lamb’s house). Please join us for food, drinks and conversations, with friends and family from 1-4 p.m.; Casual clothes.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ray’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.