Ralph Jay Lamb was born on May 4, 1933, to John L. and Nannie (Phannebecker) Lamb, was the youngest and last surviving sibling. He died peacefully on March 15, 2025, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston.
Ralph was born in Grangeville and was raised on the family ranch out near Big Canyon where he grew up working cattle, horses and dogs. If you really knew him, it was most likely because of one of those animals.
A hard worker, Ralph often milked the cow and rode some colts before and after school, which he attended in Grangeville up until the last two weeks of his senior year. He had to transfer to Craigmont High School to graduate. Did you ever hear that story? It was a good one.
After high school, Ralph was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent time in Germany working as a clerk in the motor pool. He had an opportunity to explore one small German village by himself for three or four days — yet another good story.
Upon discharge he returned to the Camas Prairie and met and dated Patricia L. Cunningham. He then went to work for Spencer’s over on the Snake River, leaving Pat to wonder about his priorities. He finally did come back from the river and marry Pat and they made their home and began farming and ranching. Ralph also earned outside income working in the woods. He ran dozer for Consolidated, Ida Pine and maybe other logging companies. These jobs were the source of many great stories — like how quickly they could get from Grangeville to White Bird in the man wagon via the old White Bird Grade. Seems like the record was 12 minutes, or so.
Ralph eventually bought out his brother’s cattle and began his tenure as a permit holder on the Hungry Ridge cattle allotment. He had spent his childhood summers there with his father putting up hay on the Lamb Ranch off Mill Creek, as well as starting draft colts to drive and making saddle horses.
He and Pat purchased the Cone Place and grew hay and wintered cattle there until they purchased a property at Slate Creek on the Salmon River in the early 1980s. After that the cattle wintered on the Salmon River and it pleased Ralph to have them out of the prairie mud. He sold most of his cattle and released the permit in the late 1990s. He kept enough livestock to keep himself “out of the bars,” finally selling his last cows in 2017 (when he was 84 years old).
Ralph leased his Slate Creek place out to other cattlemen, which gave him the opportunity to “drive up and top and look around.” He had a soft spot for all babies — human or animal kind — and was quick to appreciate a good view or pretty flowers.
Ralph is preceded in death by his wife Pat, his parents, siblings; Lester, Volney, Louise (Ralph Turner), Vera (Roy Turner), John and most all his close friends.
Surviving family includes son Dean, wife Crystal (Hendren), their daughters Alyissa and Karissa; granddaughter Mindi Lamb (Mike Hoene), and Crystal’s children Bryce and Shaunna Young. Daughter Jill (Doug) Marolf and sons Wyatt and R. Wade, numerous nieces, nephews, greats and great-greats.
A memorial/potluck will be held on Ralph’s birthday, at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 4, at the Skookumchuck recreation area. Bring a lawn chair, food and beverages and your favorite Ralph story. If you have time to write your memories down, we’d love to make a book for the grandchildren.
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