Michael D. Lamb, Died October 3, 2019

Michael D. Lamb

Died Oct. 3, 2019

EMPIRE – Michael David Lamb, 56, of Empire, passed away suddenly, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at home, of natural causes.

Michael was born March 13, 1963 in Cadillac, MI, the son of Dr. Fred S. Lamb and Kathleen (Stites) Lamb.  On Aug. 17, 1990 in Ann Arbor he married Stacy (Tapp) Lamb who survives.

Mike grew up in Traverse City and Ann Arbor.  He was fortunate to have traveled extensively through Europe as a child and to have lived briefly in Hawaii.  His family loved to sail the Great Lakes.  He was a kicker for the Traverse City Trojans, and his love for football continued for the rest of his life (Go Lions!).  Mike knew, from the age of 6, that he would be a police officer.

He began his career at Ypsilanti PD, during which time he met his forever match made in heaven, Stacy, and together they eventually moved north to raise a family.  Mike worked for Elk Rapids PD, then became a deputy with the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department.  Mike was known to the community as Sergeant Lamb.  He was selected to attend Staff and Command School.  He served on the Northern Michigan Emergency Response Team and the Traverse Narcotics Team.  He was truly grateful for his extended law enforcement family and friends.

After retirement, Mike followed in his father's footsteps and picked up a paintbrush.  Whether it was impressionism or realism, Mike spent the last few years creating art, surprising his loved ones with his talent.

He loved entertaining, sharing good food and good cheer with the ones he loved.  He could be found nearly every night in the kitchen preparing dinner, his dog and sous chef, Buddy, by his side all the while.

In his free time, Mike liked to take his children fishing all over Leelanau County.  The Lamb kids remember fishing with their dad off the dock behind St. Mary's Church.  He was always a patient teacher, despite his daughter snagging his calf with the fishing hook.  More recently Mike fell in love with surf fishing on the coast of Pensacola Beach, FL.

Michael lived with honesty and humility.  He loved this country and its founding principles.  He was a very spiritual man who believed we were put on this earth to love, and that everyone, no matter the lives they led, had a chance at peace in the afterlife.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of twenty-nine years, Stacy; three children, Michael, Lori and Liam Lamb; his mother Kathleen (Stites) Lamb; three siblings, Dr. Fred (Lisa) Lamb, Jennifer Lamb-Carlson and Hayley Lamb. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Fred S. Lamb.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, PO Box 257, Empire, MI, 49630 and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation - Fallen First Responder Home Program.

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