Gary K. Lamb

Gary K. Lamb, 72, of Robinson, IL, passed away on August 19, 2025, at Robinson Rehab & Nursing. He was born on August 25, 1952, in Palestine and grew up just south of Robinson. From an early age, he was drawn to engines and open roads. After graduating from Robinson High School and attending trade school for auto mechanics, he went to work at Briggs Pottery. When it closed, he did what came naturally: he followed in his father’s footsteps and climbed behind the wheel of a semi. For years, he drove across the country, hauling loads to Texas, California, and everywhere in between. His son Justin sometimes rode along, and on one unforgettable trip, Justin slept the entire ride only to wake up back home, hardly believing they had gone anywhere at all! Driving might not have been Gary’s passion, but it was steady work, and it kept his family cared for.

And family was what mattered most. Justin was his world. If something was important to Justin, it was important to Gary. He was a constant presence, whether working on demo cars together, watching Justin in the demolition derbies, or later cheering on his grandkids at their games and events. In the years before his health declined, you could always count on him to be in the stands, smiling with pride. Some of their best memories were made camping. They spent many weekends at Red Hill and also hauled their camper to Tennessee, Florida, and beyond. No matter where they landed, Gary loved nothing more than sitting by the fire at night, relaxing and laughing with his people. And if you knew Gary, you know that laughter came easy. He had a way of finding humor in the strangest things, laughing at moments no one else even noticed...and before long, everyone around him was laughing too!

When the fire burned down and the trips were over, Gary always found his way back to the garage. He would spend hours under the hood of a car, and he poured himself into restoring his Li'l Red Express truck, bringing it back to life one piece at a time. And when he wasn’t in the garage, he could spend entire afternoons watching reruns of Star Trek, delighting in the same episodes as if he hadn’t seen them a dozen times before. He had a soft spot for cats, too (one in particular that only came out when Gary was home), and he was famously not a dog person.

Underneath it all, Gary had a big heart. He would do just about anything for anybody, but especially for his family. He was a father and grandfather who showed his love by showing up. That’s what mattered most to him. And that’s the legacy he leaves: a love measured not in grand gestures, but in the simple act of being there.

He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law, Justin & Jaci Lamb; his grandchildren, Lukis Lamb, Landen Lamb, and Lilly Lamb; his sister, Sherry Bradbury; and his former wife and friend, Darlene Lamb. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noble Keith & Patsy M. (Wright) Lamb, and by his brother-in-law, Monte Bradbury.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22nd, at Tohill Cemetery, rural Flat Rock, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Friends and family will be welcome to share stories and reflections during the service. Memorials may be made to the “Dementia Society of America”, with memorial envelopes available at the cemetery. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson has been entrusted with these arrangements.