Burley Don “Coach” Lamb, 83, of Center, Texas, passed away on November 12, 2018 in Carthage. He was born on February 21, 1935 in Tyler, Texas to Gerald Cecil Lamb and Pauline Shipp Lamb Holley. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home with Bro. Rob Merriman officiating. Interment will follow at Neuville Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held in Tyler at a later date. 

A visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Mangum Funeral Home. 

Burley grew up in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School with the class of 1954. He then continued his education at Stephen F. Austin State University where he eventually received his Masters Degree in Education. Burley was also enlisted as a member of the National Guard Reserves. He devoted his life to serving others, especially in his calling as an educator. Burley worked as a teacher, a coach and a principal during his career, and his positive influence and leadership is embedded in the thousands of students he had the privilege to mentor. Each is a walking testament of his kindness, compassion and humility. “Coach,” as his students referred to him, was a man of great character and integrity who believed in the betterment of mankind and oneself. He worked hard to instill not only educational lessons or athletic ability, but also valued teaching students how to be a person of good rapport. One of his former athletes stated, “Coach didn’t just teach us to play the game of football. He taught us how to stand as men in life.”

Burley spent much of his time leading young lives to a positive future, but his real passion resided with family. He married the love of his life, Carolyn on February 23, 1991. The two shared a beautiful 27 years together filled with adventures, some tribulations, but overflowing with joy and love. Spending time with his children and grandchildren were the moments that mattered the most. Burley believed that those precious memories were of the highest quality and to treasure them above all. He did find time to step away from the busy schedule in education to enjoy the outdoors. Burley loved to play golf. He also spent time hunting, fishing and gardening. A fun hobby that took Burley and Carolyn on a few of their adventures was antique shopping and refinishing the hidden treasures they’d find. If he wasn’t out and about on his days off, you would definitely find him in the kitchen cooking or catching a football game on TV. Even when he wasn’t on the field, Coach was still at it on the sideline in his living room. Burley never met a stranger, and he left everyone he encountered better than when they met. His strength, passion and illuminating presence will be deeply missed.

Burley is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn Lamb of Center; daughters, Karen Horton and husband, Eric of Tyler, Sharon Van Cleave and husband, Robert of Dallas and Tyler, and Laurie Prachyl and husband, Danny of Ennis; brother, Jerry Lamb and wife, Marilee of Whitehouse; sister-in-law, Joan Andrews of Center; mother of his children, Barbara Dozier of Tyler; grandchildren, Ashley Emerick of Dallas, Braxton Van Cleave and fiancé, Danielle De Los Santos of Dallas, Bailey Van Cleave of Dallas and Payton Prachyl of Ennis; nieces and nephews, Piper Andrews, Melanie Bybee, Kimberly Reynolds, Larry Lamb, Kerry Lamb, Randy Lamb and Jerry Lamb; great niece and nephew, Ariel Amburn and Dallas O’Donnell; and a host of other family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Lamb and Pauline Lamb Holley; brothers, Gerald Lamb and Kenneth Lamb; brother-in-law, Bud Andrews; Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Anne Horne; mother-in-law, Gertrude Horne Buck; nephew, Gary Lamb.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Faulkner, Glenn Johnson, Ray Griffin, Billy Bob McAdams, Mike Walker and Vince LaNoue.

Honorary pallbearers are Weldon Boles, William Rouse, Bill Billingsley, Charles Standley, Bobby Collins, Joe Tom Schillings and Joe Ross.

Memorial donations can be made to Shelbyville Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 5030 ST HWY 87S, Shelbyville, Texas, 75973.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.