Donald Charles Lamm

Don was born on the 8th of April 1931, to Lloyd and Helen Lamm in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up, Don was a Cubs fan, and a lover of jazz, big band music, and dancing. He attended Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he played clarinet in the band and ran cross-country track.

Don attended the University of Illinois, and later Michigan State University. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and graduated from Michigan State University with a Communications degree. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the Army and after having served his country in the Korean War, Don completed his Master’s degree in Communication at the University of Houston.

In 1956, Don met Jane Hiller on a blind date to an Easter Sunday sunrise service in Hermann Park. When he first set eyes on his date, in his words, he was “smitten!” Jane went away to college, so they wrote letters back and forth for months. Don saved every letter Jane wrote him during their courtship. They married on the 19th of November 1957, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage.

Don began his advertising career at McCann Erickson, and worked in public relations at various firms. In 1961, he and two coworkers decided to start their own advertising agency, and the firm that would eventually become Craig, Lamm, Hensley, & Alderman was born. Don spent the next 35 years working at the firm he built in the field he loved.

Don was friendly and outgoing, and never met a stranger. He and Jane joined St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, where Don was a member for over 60 years. They raised three children and numerous and assorted cats and dogs. Over the years, Don played on several bowling league teams, and enjoyed tennis and golf as well. He was an avid Houston Cougars fan, attending football and basketball games for many years.

After retirement, Don and Jane enjoyed traveling and spending time at their Galveston beach house, Lamm’s End. Don served on the board of Stages Repertory Theatre and the Printing Museum, and was active at church and in the Rotary Club of Houston. After Jane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Don became her caretaker for many years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Kenneth Lamm; his wife Jane; and his niece, Susan White. He is survived by his children, Anna (Jonathan Jones), Carolyn (Christopher O’Sullivan), and Russell (Kristin Albers Lamm); grandchildren, Andrea (Arlen Ivey), Cassie O’Sullivan, Jared Jones, Kyra McNally Albers, and Rory Lamm; great-grandson, Parker Ivey; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Starrett; and nieces and nephews, Margaret Bolt, Janet Newton, Thomas Lamm, Eric Starrett, Duff Starrett, and Jeremy Starrett.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the entire staff of The Reserve at Braeswood for their kindness and loving care of Don.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Don during a reception to be held from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 18th of November, in the Republic Wine Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life and his resurrection is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 19th of November, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1123 Burney Road in Sugar Land.

Immediately following, all are invited to share a meal with the family at a venue to be announced during the service.

The family will have gathered for a private inurnment at Houston National Cemetery, where Don will rest next to the love of his life.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in his name may be direct to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1123 Burney Road, Sugar Land, TX, 77498; or charity of one’s choice.