Mr. Harold D. Lamb

LAKELAND - Mr. Harold D. Lamb, 87, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at his home in Lakeland. Harold was born August 10, 1928 in Haines City, FL and was a lifelong resident of Lakeland. He was a funeral director, working with Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes and Dukes-Steen Funeral Home in Lakeland for many years. He currently worked with Hancock Funeral Home in Fort Meade, and to date the oldest active funeral director in Polk County. Harold was a WW II U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the U.S.S Kidd as a radioman during the Battle of Okinawa of which he received a Purple Heart for his injuries and wartime service. He was a member of Lakeland First Baptist Church at the Mall, a life member of Lakeland Masonic Lodge #91, member of the Shrine Scottish Rite in Tampa, a charter member of the Lakeland Cleveland Heights Golf Club, member of Lakeland Elk's Lodge #1291, member of Lakeland VFW, past-president of the Polk County Funeral Director's Assoc., graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Atlanta, GA, member of the U.S.S. Kidd Assoc., and inducted into the Honor Roll of the National WWII Museum in 2014.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Doss Lamb, and his parents, William R. Lamb and Eula Davis Lamb, and his siblings.

He is survived by his cousin, Margaret Townsend, Live Oak, FL; adopted family, Allen, Margie, Chuck and Russell Hancock, all of Fort Meade, FL; three step-sons, several step-grandchildren, nieces Betty and Trudy, and many friends.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at Gentry-Morrison Southside Funeral Home, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland, FL. Funeral services will follow in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mike Mallatt officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lakeland, FL.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to: Military Order of the Purple Heart, Polk County Chapter 535, 1325 Grasslands Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33803 or to Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, 5141 Snapfinger Woods Dr., Decatur, GA 30035.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171.