Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" Lamp '50 April 12, 2020 3:30 PM updated: April 12, 2020 3:38 PM
Dr. James H. Lamp
September 09, 1924 - March 25, 2020
DR. JAMES H. LAMP, 95, of Bellville, Texas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at his home with his children by his side.
He was born on September 9, 1924, in Bellville, Texas, the son of Herman and Lillie (Brosig) Lamp. “Doc” grew up and attended schools in Bellville where he played football and basketball for Bellville High School and graduated in 1942.
Before being drafted, he worked for Hughes Tools in Houston and lived with Robert Ueckert. They ate many lettuce & mayonnaise sandwiches together. He went into the Army Air Force in March 1943 starting his journey by train to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He served his country as a radio operator and mechanic on the island of Biak to maintain communications during the assault on the Philippines. He often stated that he was proud to have served, and that the Army provided a college education that served him well. (In fact, he still carried his WWII discharge card in his wallet all these years!) When he received his discharge orders in February 1946, James made his way home by plane, ship, train, bus, and finally hitch-hiked from Brenham via Model A Ford, arriving home in Bellville around midnight.
He enrolled at Texas A&M College in the fall of 1946 and since he enjoyed chemistry, chose Pre-Vet. After the first year, he qualified to enter the School of Veterinary Medicine, a four-year course, in a class of 64 men who graduated in 1951.
“Doc” was united in marriage to LaVerne Michaelis on September 10, 1949, at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville. They both worked while James was in college, he washed test tubes for extra money at the biochemistry department and she worked for the Head of the Animal Husbandry department. After graduation, they moved back to Bellville, where they purchased the Bellville Veterinary Clinic from Dr. Dean Brown. Dr. Lamp owned and operated the clinic for 59 years until 2010 when he turned it over to his son, Ted. He continued to work at the clinic until 2016.
In his spare time, he enjoyed making homemade wine, gardening, woodworking, and was an avid fan of any Aggie sporting event, the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets. “Doc” was a charter member of the Bellville VFW Post 6522; a 50-year member of the Bellville Lions Club; a St. John Lutheran Church council member, Sunday School teacher and member; and a longtime member of the Bellville High School Booster Club. He also served 15 years as a Bellville ISD School Board member; and was named as the Lions Citizen of the Year in 1969. In 2002, the Bellville Chamber of Commerce honored both James and Ted Lamp and their wives with the Commerce Award. He was a lifetime member of the Austin County Beef and Forage Committee; and was named an honorary Chapter and State Farmer by the FFA. Dr. Lamp also was honored with the title of the Austin County Fair Parade Marshal in 2007. He also served as the President of the Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association and the Bluebonnet Veterinary Association; was a life member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association who honored him as a Heritage Practice Awards Recipient in 2010. In addition, he was a TVMA director for two terms. In 2015, he was honored as a BHS Distinguished Alumnus in the inaugural group of four men by the Bellville Engineering Science and Technology (BEST).
A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. “Doc” was well-known by many is this small town - if you were ever looking for Dr. James you could find him in the back pens of the vet clinic doctoring a cow or horse, or inside mending a young child’s beloved pet. His smile and stories will be missed by all. A famous quote by Will Rogers sums up Dr. James Lamp. “Personally, I have always felt the best doctor in the world is the Veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter – he’s just got to know.”
“Doc” is survived by his children: Dr. Ted Lamp and his wife, Terri, Sue Schuelke and her husband, David, and Ann Bodeker and her husband, Robin; grandchildren: Abrah Stafford and her husband, John, Zack Lamp and his wife, Lauren, Ross Bodeker and his wife, Taylor, and Hannah Bodeker; great grandchildren: Creede and Marjie Stafford and Holland and Levi Lamp; step grandchildren: Lauren Windsor and her husband, Troy Golba, David Windsor, and his wife, Meghan, Sarah Windsor, Jennifer Schuelke, Amy Keene and husband, Jason; step-great grandchildren: Tess and Blaire Rosas, Hadley and Carson Windsor, Caroline and Wyatt Keene; sister: Beverly Gish and her husband, Dick; sister-in-law: Pat Lamp; nieces and nephews: Gary Pless and his wife, Jennifer, Sharon DeMartino, Kathryn Orth and her husband, Peter, John Gish and his wife, Laura, Douglas Lamp and his wife, Sharon, Kenneth Lamp and his wife, Annette, and Peggy Simar and her husband, Ken; and numerous other dear family and friends. Special thanks to his loving caregivers the past three and a half years: Roberta Freeman, Katrina Starks, Rochelle Starks, Tonya Phillips, and Jaon Boson. Also, his nurses Sharon Graham and Wendy Frank along with Dr. Don Bosse provided him excellent medical care.
He is preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne Lamp, parents, Herman and Lillie Lamp, and brother, Floyd Lamp.
In the light of current health and safety concerns, the family observed a private graveside service. Arrangements for memorial service at St. John Lutheran are pending and will be announced at a later date.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either:
The Austin County A&M Club Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 561
Bellville, Texas 77418,
St. John Lutheran Church
? Men and Mission Scholarship Fund
520 North Holland
Bellville, Texas 77418,
or to
Allumine Health
4030 Hwy. 6 South, Ste. 101
College Station, Texas 77845
© Copyright 2016 - 20 Schmidt Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
September 09, 1924 - March 25, 2020
DR. JAMES H. LAMP, 95, of Bellville, Texas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at his home with his children by his side.
He was born on September 9, 1924, in Bellville, Texas, the son of Herman and Lillie (Brosig) Lamp. “Doc” grew up and attended schools in Bellville where he played football and basketball for Bellville High School and graduated in 1942.
Before being drafted, he worked for Hughes Tools in Houston and lived with Robert Ueckert. They ate many lettuce & mayonnaise sandwiches together. He went into the Army Air Force in March 1943 starting his journey by train to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He served his country as a radio operator and mechanic on the island of Biak to maintain communications during the assault on the Philippines. He often stated that he was proud to have served, and that the Army provided a college education that served him well. (In fact, he still carried his WWII discharge card in his wallet all these years!) When he received his discharge orders in February 1946, James made his way home by plane, ship, train, bus, and finally hitch-hiked from Brenham via Model A Ford, arriving home in Bellville around midnight.
He enrolled at Texas A&M College in the fall of 1946 and since he enjoyed chemistry, chose Pre-Vet. After the first year, he qualified to enter the School of Veterinary Medicine, a four-year course, in a class of 64 men who graduated in 1951.
“Doc” was united in marriage to LaVerne Michaelis on September 10, 1949, at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville. They both worked while James was in college, he washed test tubes for extra money at the biochemistry department and she worked for the Head of the Animal Husbandry department. After graduation, they moved back to Bellville, where they purchased the Bellville Veterinary Clinic from Dr. Dean Brown. Dr. Lamp owned and operated the clinic for 59 years until 2010 when he turned it over to his son, Ted. He continued to work at the clinic until 2016.
In his spare time, he enjoyed making homemade wine, gardening, woodworking, and was an avid fan of any Aggie sporting event, the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets. “Doc” was a charter member of the Bellville VFW Post 6522; a 50-year member of the Bellville Lions Club; a St. John Lutheran Church council member, Sunday School teacher and member; and a longtime member of the Bellville High School Booster Club. He also served 15 years as a Bellville ISD School Board member; and was named as the Lions Citizen of the Year in 1969. In 2002, the Bellville Chamber of Commerce honored both James and Ted Lamp and their wives with the Commerce Award. He was a lifetime member of the Austin County Beef and Forage Committee; and was named an honorary Chapter and State Farmer by the FFA. Dr. Lamp also was honored with the title of the Austin County Fair Parade Marshal in 2007. He also served as the President of the Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association and the Bluebonnet Veterinary Association; was a life member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association who honored him as a Heritage Practice Awards Recipient in 2010. In addition, he was a TVMA director for two terms. In 2015, he was honored as a BHS Distinguished Alumnus in the inaugural group of four men by the Bellville Engineering Science and Technology (BEST).
A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. “Doc” was well-known by many is this small town - if you were ever looking for Dr. James you could find him in the back pens of the vet clinic doctoring a cow or horse, or inside mending a young child’s beloved pet. His smile and stories will be missed by all. A famous quote by Will Rogers sums up Dr. James Lamp. “Personally, I have always felt the best doctor in the world is the Veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter – he’s just got to know.”
“Doc” is survived by his children: Dr. Ted Lamp and his wife, Terri, Sue Schuelke and her husband, David, and Ann Bodeker and her husband, Robin; grandchildren: Abrah Stafford and her husband, John, Zack Lamp and his wife, Lauren, Ross Bodeker and his wife, Taylor, and Hannah Bodeker; great grandchildren: Creede and Marjie Stafford and Holland and Levi Lamp; step grandchildren: Lauren Windsor and her husband, Troy Golba, David Windsor, and his wife, Meghan, Sarah Windsor, Jennifer Schuelke, Amy Keene and husband, Jason; step-great grandchildren: Tess and Blaire Rosas, Hadley and Carson Windsor, Caroline and Wyatt Keene; sister: Beverly Gish and her husband, Dick; sister-in-law: Pat Lamp; nieces and nephews: Gary Pless and his wife, Jennifer, Sharon DeMartino, Kathryn Orth and her husband, Peter, John Gish and his wife, Laura, Douglas Lamp and his wife, Sharon, Kenneth Lamp and his wife, Annette, and Peggy Simar and her husband, Ken; and numerous other dear family and friends. Special thanks to his loving caregivers the past three and a half years: Roberta Freeman, Katrina Starks, Rochelle Starks, Tonya Phillips, and Jaon Boson. Also, his nurses Sharon Graham and Wendy Frank along with Dr. Don Bosse provided him excellent medical care.
He is preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne Lamp, parents, Herman and Lillie Lamp, and brother, Floyd Lamp.
In the light of current health and safety concerns, the family observed a private graveside service. Arrangements for memorial service at St. John Lutheran are pending and will be announced at a later date.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either:
The Austin County A&M Club Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 561
Bellville, Texas 77418,
St. John Lutheran Church
? Men and Mission Scholarship Fund
520 North Holland
Bellville, Texas 77418,
or to
Allumine Health
4030 Hwy. 6 South, Ste. 101
College Station, Texas 77845
© Copyright 2016 - 20 Schmidt Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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