Donald R. McLamb Sr., Tin Can Sailor, avid golfer
Donald R. McLamb, 78, of Milton passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.
Don was born Feb. 9, 1941, in Johnston County, N.C. He was the son of the late Robert E. McLamb and Nola Beasley.
The U.S. Navy was Don’s calling, and after graduation from Four Oaks High School, Don enlisted. Don proudly served on the USS Sproston (DD/DDE-577) stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. from 1961-64. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy March 30, 1966, Don found his way to Delaware and New Jersey where he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as an inspector, and later opened Ocean City Auto Parts, a NAPA auto parts store in Ocean City, N.J. In 1985, Don sold the auto parts business and settled back in his wife’s hometown where he worked as an HVAC technician, a U.S. mail carrier and a school bus contractor.
Don was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially loved hearing stories about his granddaughters. Don was an avid golfer and played many rounds with the Ball Tossers and other golf groups. He was an active member of The National Association of Destroyer Veterans aka Tin Can Sailors. A particular highlight for Don was attending his ship’s reunion in 2014 in Galveston, Texas. Don was an active member of the Ellendale Ruritan Club for many years.
Don was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jerry A. McLamb. He is survived by two children, Sandra G. M. Selzer and husband Chris of Avondale, Pa., and Donald R. McLamb Jr. and wife Tracy of Bear; three granddaughters, Hannah Gracyn McLamb, Kelsie Anne McLamb and Abigail Helen Selzer; three sisters, Shirley McLamb of Newton Grove, N.C., and Frances Adams and Peggy McLamb, both of Benson, N.C. In addition to his wife, Don was predeceased by his brothers Joe and Bobby McLamb, sister Janice McLamb and his dear Aunt Lillie McLamb and Uncle Herbert McLamb, all of North Carolina.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, with a time of visitation for family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested in Don’s memory to Delaware Veterans Home, 100 Delaware Veterans Blvd., Milford, DE 19963, Beebe Medical Foundation, designated to Heart & Vascular Center of Excellence, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or Tin Can Sailors Inc., designated to Tin Can Sailors Development Account, PO Box 100, Somerset, MA 02726.
