Vernon Randolph Lamb
Vernon Randloph Lamb of Pipe Creek, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 27, at 5:55 p.m at Bandera Nursing Home and Rehab. He was 89.
Vernon, “V.R.,” was born January 31, 1934, in Houston to Julius Vernon Lamb and Valeska Junker Lamb. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1952. He earned a Degree in Agriculture from the University of Houston.
While working as a ranch operator outside of Houston, he had an accident that resulted in the loss of his right eye.
The experience led him to the field of Oculary and he pursued a career of creating artificial (prosthetic) eyes for people experiencing similar traumatic events. He also trained with Dr. Joe Soaper in the development of early polyvinyl contact lenses and other optical devices, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University. “V.R.” moved to San Angelo in 1963 and opened Lamb’s Optical and the Lens Lab.
He operated this business for 53 years. During this time, he taught annual seminars at Baylor School of Medicine and was associated with the development of hydro-optic plastics in the U.S. and Canada. He also did charity work for the Veteran’s Administration, and missions in Mexico. After retiring in 2020, he moved to Pipe Creek to be closer to family, where he became a member of the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church.
While in San Angelo, he was a member of the Elk’s Club, a lifelong member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Lion’s Club, Travelin’ Kitchen, Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Church of the Nazarene.
He is survived by a daughter Leesa Lamb, and a son, Jerrett Lamb (wife Megan). Stepchildren Rob West (wife Sally) and Margo West.
He has six grandchildren: Amanda Knight, Jalyn Lamb, Keaton McInnis, Sara West, and Taylor Larkin-West. Three great-grandchildren: Harlow Knight, Noah Knight, and Silvia Galloway. He is also survived by two sisters: Sylvia Woodruff and Joyce Hartman. He is predeceased by his parents, a son, Arden Elliot Lamb, and a sister, Hazel Reeves.
The family requests that donations be made to the San Angelo Lighthouse for the Blind.