Thomas Rexford Lamb

(The Hummingbird Man)

Thomas “Tom” Lamb passed peacefully at his home with his family on November 23rd in Dixie, Washington at the age of 90.

Tom was born on December 6th, 1923 in Dixie, Washington to William and Capitola Lamb. He attended school in Dixie and graduated from Dixie High School in 1942. He married Shirley Robertson in 1946 in Lewistown Montana. Together, they built a home on the Lamb family homestead and raised their family there. Tom and Shirley had two daughters, Margaret and Shari. They were devoted to their children and grandchildren.

Tom enjoyed spending time boating, fishing, waterskiing, and snowmobiling with his children and grandchildren. He also loved scuba diving with his daughter Shari. Tom was accomplished at woodworking; he often made furniture, canes and anything that was needed. In his later years, Tom enjoyed spending his spare time rock hounding with his wife all over the west coast, photography, gardening, swimming at the YMCA and drinking coffee with his friends at the Dixie store. When Tom’s wife Shirley became ill, he placed a hummingbird feeder outside her window so she could enjoy the birds. The hummingbirds started fighting over the nectar and so Tom put up more feeders and so became Hummingbird Haven. Tom spent many years feeding hummingbirds and having visitors from all over the world share in enjoying them. Tom often relayed stories with those who would come out to visit and always made everyone feel welcomed and they usually left as his friend.

Tom was honored by the State of Washington for being the first Driver’s Education teacher in the state. He drove bus for the Dixie School District and then moved onto working for the Walla Walla School District as Manager of Facilities and Operations where he retired in 1980. Tom was a dedicated volunteer firefighter for District 8 for most of his life.

Tom is survived by his children, Margaret (Mark) Evensen and Shari Harmon both of Walla Walla and his grandchildren Ben (Lara) Newburn of Redding, CA, Matt (Lisa) Newburn of West Richland, WA, Tai Harmon of Seaside OR., Chris Harmon of Walla Walla, and Michelle Harmon of Dixie WA. He also is survived by his great grandson Ethan Newburn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and his brothers John, Jim, Russell, Paul, and Allen and also his sisters Lois, Bonnie and Carol.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 1, 2014 at the Herring Funeral Home 315 W. Alder in Walla Walla WA. Graveside services will follow at the Dixie Cemetery and then all are invited to a dinner at the old Rebekah Hall in Dixie. Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA Youth Programs through the funeral home.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Tom’s life. The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who helped make it possible for Tom to stay at home.