Lamb, Walter Martin Jr.

Walter Martin Lamb, Jr. (Bud) was born on December 17, 1947, and he entered into his eternal rest on January 6, 2022. He was born to the late Walter M. Lamb and Ruth E. Lamb (Comer) in St. Louis, Missouri. On December 26, 1970, he married his college sweetheart, Rexanna Lamb (Reeder).

Walter graduated from Southwest High School here in St. Louis in 1966 before earning a degree in Mathematics from Southwest Baptist College in 1970. He also completed a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City in 1979.

Walter had a strong work ethic from an early age, beginning at eleven as a bicycle delivery boy for the A.P. Cohen Drug Store. He worked for Famous-Barr department stores in high school, the American Can Company, North Kansas City School District as a maintenance worker, and many more jobs throughout his life. As an educator,  Walter taught mathematics for the Ritenour School District, the Seymour School District, and Tower Grove Christian School. He was a bi-vocational pastor in various churches throughout Missouri. In 2000, he helped start and organize the Providence Baptist Church of St. Louis, where he served as an elder for twenty-one years.

After retiring from education in 1992, Walter earned his real estate license and enjoyed this second career for many years. He also bought investment property and served as a landlord. He strived to help others throughout his lifetime and was known for his willingness to assist in practical ways those who were hurting or in need.

Walter knew his way around a toolbox and was an excellent painter, like his father. He taught more than a few apprentices how to cut in, patch, mud, and sand drywall. He passed his plumbing and electrical skills on to a few grandsons also. Papa had two rules when you worked with him: safety first, and Papa was always…sometimes…usually right. Papa was an avid joke-teller. He never met a stranger. He was a walking encyclopedia, and as he would often say when you asked him a question: “If I don’t know the answer, I’ll just make one up.”

Walter was known for his humor and long stories, but he was also known for his faith and love of God. Walter had a couple of sayings that he tried to instill in his children and students, including his life verse from Mark 8:36: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.” The other is a line from a poem by C.T. Studd: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Walter was not perfect, but he did try to live a life that was pleasing unto God. On his grave marker, he wanted the words “safe in the arms of Jesus,” because he wanted everyone to know where he would be.

Walter is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rexanna. He is survived by his three children: Jennifer Susanne Quinn (Chad) of Belleville, Illinois;  Walter Scott Lamb (Pearl) of Lynchburg, Virginia; and Matthew Rex Lamb of Oakville, Missouri. Papa Wally is survived by 13 grandchildren: Zoe Quinn, Josiah Lamb, Nathanael Lamb, Isaac Lamb, Conner Quinn, Benjamin Lamb, Duncan Quinn, Peter Quinn, Linus Quinn, Savannah Lamb, Seren Quinn, Aaron Lamb, and Sally Quinn. Walter is also survived by a sister, Sally Rose Dunning of Palmyra, Virginia, and a brother, John Paul Lamb of St Louis, Missouri. He was a cousin, uncle, church family member, business associate, and friend to many.

Arrangements are being made by Kutis Funeral Home of South County, on 5255 Lemay Ferry Road.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022, from 4-8 PM. Service will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 1 PM. Graveside service will follow, at Park Lawn Cemetery, 1800 Lemay Ferry Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to missiondignity.org or Missouri Baptist Home for the Aged