Roy Albert Lamb Jr., 83, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on December 29, 2025. A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor his life and legacy.
Born on December 6, 1942, in Parris Island, South Carolina, Roy was the son of the late Roy Albert Lamb Sr. and Mary Margaret Sikes Lamb. He is lovingly remembered by his sister, Roberta L. Paynter; nephews Eric, Matt, and Craig Paynter; niece Amanda Hardy; and numerous extended family members.
Roy proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 20 years before retiring. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia. Following his military service, Roy dedicated himself to education, teaching at Randolph-Macon Academy until his retirement. During his years there, he formed close friendships and cherished many fond memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
We enjoyed a long and pleasant friendship with Mr. Lamb. My AFJROTC classroom in Rives 207 was next door to his History and Government classroom for several years in the ’80’s and ’90’s. My wife, Maribelle Reed and I always enjoyed lively conversations with Roy throughout our 20 year career at R-MA teaching
Aerospace Science and Biology. Beneath his gruff style I always enjoyed a warm friendship with him. Maribelle remembers that he always teased her that she seemed to win all the door prizes at the faculty Christmas parties back in the day. Outstanding colleague.
Roy Lamb was an incredible teacher and mentor during my time at R-MA (‘85-‘87). His dedication and passion to his craft is inspiring. He answered the call to serve our nation and continued to serve at the community level by helping us to prepare for our next chapter. Thank you for making a difference.
Fair winds and following seas, Shipmate.
Was in Mr. Lambs gov class 86-87 class year. Remember fondly the spirited political discussions. Always made me rethink my political views.
Coach Lamb is the person who introduced me to competitive shooting while I was at R-MA. His coaching and mentorship led me to get a rifle scholarship to college and then transfer to WVU, where I got to participate in the 1998 NCAA National Championship team. The four years of shooting at R-MA with Coach Lamb were some of my fondest memories at R-MA. He was tough and fair, and once you got to know him, he had a wicked sense of humor. His teaching on government and civics were fascinating enough that it made me get my first degree in Political Science. I regret how our country has moved away from what Coach Lamb taught as a curriculum, and I think of him when I hear political leaders espouse positions that have no basis in the documents that establish our constitutional democracy. Coach Lamb was a great molder of young minds about to become voters, and his influence on those minds will be missed.
Roy’s first year teaching at RMA (86-87) was my senior year. He inspired us to keep up with the current events of the day and he let my roommate and I sneak into his apartment on Thursday nights to watch Magnum PI. I stayed in touch with him over the years. We’d go out to dinner every Homecoming or we’d meet for dinner when he stayed at his sister’s house near me in Buckingham County. He was smart, pragmatic and generally a good guy all around.
Mr. Lamb was my teacher at RMA during 89-90, and he helped us navigate current events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a burgeoning sense of the World around us. He was demanding, but fair, and inspired you to develop the best in yourself. I grew intellectually in his classroom and always appreciated him as a mentor-teacher. He also served as an assistant coach on the baseball team, and we won the conference championship that year. We always enjoyed him as part of that team (coaches and players). Saddened to hear of his passing but very pleased to share this remembrance. His life made a difference in mine, and I’m forever grateful.
Warm condolences to his family and loved ones, Paul Sullivan (RMA Class of ’90)