Class of 1970
Good Friend and always had that great smile
LAMAR, Jr., Dr. Edward DR. EDWARD LAMAR, JR. Passed away suddenly earlier this week. Visitation will be held Monday, May 5, 2014, 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm at Headland Heights United Methodist Church, 2147 Dodson Dr., East Point, GA. Rev. George P. Lanier, Pastor, officiating the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tuskegee University for the construction of the new Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. Checks should be made payable to Tuskegee University. In the memo section write "New VMTH Construction/ IMO Dr. Edward Lamar." Please mail to: Cheryl G. Davis, Associate Dean for Administration and Resource Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, A301 Patterson Hall, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088. Murray Brothers (404) 349-3000 mbfh.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=edward-b-lamar&pid=170890575&#sthash.q8NfZLod.dpuf
I grew up with the Lamar family as well as going through school with Ed. We had a great time and many good memories. His smiling face and polite personality will be missed. God Bless you Ed.
I reestablished contact with Edward a couple of years ago, but hadn't talked with him in a while. We hung out a lot @ NHS & we shared many good memories. I am very sad!!
I knew Ed and his family most of my life. I first met Ed in school, but he and his brother joined the Boy Scout Troop that my dad had organized. He and I kept in touch from time to time after high school when he went off to college and I got drafted and joined the Navy (do any of you know that it was Rick Vogels' dad who reached into that big glass jar and selected draft numbers?). Following my tour, I entered college at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. By an incredible stroke of coincidence, I worked one summer on an island north of Kodiak with the guy who roomed with Ed at Tuskegee. It was clear that fate would keep Ed and I in touch no matter the miles that separated us.
It wasn't until I moved to Florida two years ago that Ed and I lived close enough that we kept in regular touch. He spent a week with my wife and I last year and we were able to catch up on everything that had happened in the previous four decades. Wow, how time flies.
I miss Eds' easy laughter to my lame one-liners and his warm personality. What a great friend.
LAMAR, Edward B., Sr. On Monday, June 6, 2011 Edward B. Lamar, Sr. (called "Lamar" by friends and "Brother" by family) passed unexpectedly at the age of 86. Born in Atlanta in 1925 he was the eldest son of the late Edmond and Ruby McCoy Lamar. Lamar spent his early years helping his father at the family store and concentrating on his education. He graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S. in 1943, briefly served in the U.S. Merchant Marines where he first began his international travels, and then continued his education at North Carolina A & T University, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1948. In 1950 he married his college sweetheart, Wilba Frances Harris of Camden SC, and returned to Atlanta. Lamar, considered to be one of the first African-American engineers in Atlanta, was unable to find a job in his profession in Atlanta. He and his wife moved to Portland, OR where he worked as an engineer at Bonneville Power and where his first son, Edward Jr. was born. Next they moved to Seattle, WA where he was employed by the Boeing Corporation and where his second son, Marshall, was born. Overseas travel and exposure to large projects was of interest to this young engineer and he took an engineering position with the Army Corps of Engineers (as a civilian). Lamar and his family spent ten years overseas, first in Karachi, Pakistan and then in Okinawa, Japan where he and his wife had two more children, daughters Shelley and Hilary. In late 1965 after gaining a vast array of experience on projects throughout the Far East he moved his family back to the United States. They settled in Silver Spring, MD while he was employed with the US Department of the Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Command. He eventually left the federal government and began a career with the Department of Housing and Community Development in Washington, D.C. where he served as Director of Engineering and Maintenance. While in Washington D.C. Lamar earned a Master's Degree in Construc tion Management from George Washington University. Eventually this native Atlantan began to feel the need to get back to his roots. In 1976 he was offered a position with Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) as an Asst. Director and returned to Atlanta. He worked for the AHA for several years before moving back to federal government as Planning Manager for Waste Treatment Facilities Water Management Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the early 1980's, after retiring from EPA, Lamar then went to work for the engineering firm, Williams Russell & Johnson, where he became involved in the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport expansion program. Shortly after joining WRJ, Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young appointed Lamar as Director of Planning & Development for the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation where he managed the airport development program for nearly a decade before retiring. Later, working with Aviation Consulting Engineers he continued to work on the development of Atlanta's Airport. Throughout his long and successful career Lamar gained many friends as well as respect from everyone he met. He was active in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, in his community, serving on the Board of his homeowner's association, and in the Joymen's Club (the oldest African-American men's social club in the U.S.A.). His love of travel continued to his last days as he was planning a trip to the Caribbean with his children. He was known for his jovial personality and quick wit. His philosophy on life was "never to dwell on the negative" and he always had an arsenal of jokes ready for anyone willing to listen. He believed in the Joymen's motto "LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH." He instilled in his children the importance of education, professionalism, and personal responsibility. Lamar above all cherished family, immediate and extended. He was the family patriarch. He was a wonderful provider, a loving husband, a great father, and a great counselor and true friend to many, and last but not least, a great engineer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Wilba Harris Lamar, his son, Marshall G. Lamar, sisters Peggy Lamar Cantrell and Vivian Lamar Foreman. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Dr. Edward B. Lamar, Jr. of Powder Springs, daughters, Shelley A. Lamar of Lithonia and Hilary D. Lamar of Stone Mountain;, sisters, Edith (Lewis) Linsey and Rudine (Richard) Beneford; brother, Herbert (Clara) Lamar, all of Atlanta; brother-in-law, Willie (Lucille) Harris of Newnan; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all over the world. Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 13, 2011 at 10 am at Headland Heights United Methodist Church, 2147 Dodson Dr., East Point.. Rev. George P. Lanier, Pastor, officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 9:30 am on day of service. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make contributions may make them to, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Education Foundation (a 501 C3 organization). Make checks payable to: Omicron Phi Lamdda Education Foundation, P.O. Box 91303, East Point, GA 30364. Viewing today 10 am - 6 pm and Wake this afternoon from 2 pm until 5pm. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Omega Service will take place at 4 pm. at Murray Brothers (404) 349-3000. mbfh.com
Mrs Wilba Frances Harris Lamar, 80 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA) - Thursday, March 4, 2010
LAMAR, Wilba Surrounded by her loving family Mrs. Wilba Frances Harris Lamar, age 80, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2010, following a lengthy illness. Born in Camden, SC to the late Bertha Smith Harris and Willie English Harris, she was eldest of three children. She graduated high school at the age of 16 from Mather Academy (a private school) and continued her education at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC where she received her Bachelors Degree in 1950. She went on to marry her college sweetheart, Edward B. Lamar, P.E. in Atlanta. Together they traveled extensively, living in Portland, OR and Bremerton and Seattle, WA before moving abroad in 1956. Wilba and Ed spent ten years overseas living in Karachi, Pakistan and Okinawa, Japan before returning to the U.S. They lived in Silver Spring, MD for 11 years where she taught mathematics (in Prince Georges County, MD) before deciding to move back to the Atlanta area where they have spent the last 30+ years. During those travels they took time to raise four children and make thousands of friends. Over her 80 years she was active in Girl Scouts of America, Toast Masters, League of Women Voters, Bennett College Alumni Association, Mather Academy Alumni Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Wives Club, The Joymen Wives Club, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was also an avid Bridge player and played regularly with the Gemettes Bridge Club. Wilba loved life and loved her family. There was nothing that she would not do for her family or friends. She was a gourmet cook, an expert seamstress, an interior designer, a gracious hostess, and a home maker and organizer. If you were to go to Webster's Dictionary and look up "Super Mom" you would find her listed as a reference! She was preceded in death by her son, Marshall G. Lamar and her sister, Josephine Harris Samuels, and is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Edward B. Lamar; her son, Dr. Edward B. Lamar, Jr. of Powder Springs, GA, two daughters, Shelley A. Lamar of Lithonia, GA and Hilary D. Lamar of Stone Mountain, GA, her brother, Mr. & Mrs. Willie (Lucille) English Harris of Newnan, GA; a host of loving relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010, 11 am, Headland Heights United Methodist Church, 2147 Dodson Dr., East Point. Instate 10 am. Rev. George T. Lanier, Pastor. Entombment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 10:30 am on the day of service. Viewing today 9 am - 9 pm and Family Visitation this evening from 5 - 7 pm at Murray Brothers Cascade Chapel, 1199 Utoy Sprigs Rd. SW (Corner of Cascade Rd. near I-285) 404-349-3000 mbfh.com
Eddie was one of those guys that always had a great smile anytime you saw him. I remember being in Altanta many years after high school at a local mall and there was Eddie. He came up behind me and surprised me with his smiling laughter. My prayers are with Eddie's family and thanks for allowing me to know him.
Dang...I have been keeping up with the site and all of a sudden I see Eddie passed and friends I knew writing comments and others passed, and others passed and I have not reached out to but knew growing up it was the best life!!! It is hitting me now!!! RIP Eddie and all my classmates Before RIP!!! Sorry I have not been there Oren, Steve, others from elementary school thtu graduation...See you at the reunion!!!
Melvin Stanbrough
Class of 1970
Good Friend and always had that great smile
LAMAR, Jr., Dr. Edward DR. EDWARD LAMAR, JR. Passed away suddenly earlier this week. Visitation will be held Monday, May 5, 2014, 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm at Headland Heights United Methodist Church, 2147 Dodson Dr., East Point, GA. Rev. George P. Lanier, Pastor, officiating the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Tuskegee University for the construction of the new Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. Checks should be made payable to Tuskegee University. In the memo section write "New VMTH Construction/ IMO Dr. Edward Lamar." Please mail to: Cheryl G. Davis, Associate Dean for Administration and Resource Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, A301 Patterson Hall, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 36088. Murray Brothers (404) 349-3000 mbfh.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=edward-b-lamar&pid=170890575&#sthash.q8NfZLod.dpuf
Richard Vogel
I grew up with the Lamar family as well as going through school with Ed. We had a great time and many good memories. His smiling face and polite personality will be missed. God Bless you Ed.
Darla Russin (Schmitt, Maureen)
He was a man of God . I,l miss him now but I will see him again in heaven. Love in Christ, Darla
Lee Levine
I will miss Eddie and his brother Marshall. What a great couple of guys to grow up with.
Jerry Kaplowitz
I reestablished contact with Edward a couple of years ago, but hadn't talked with him in a while. We hung out a lot @ NHS & we shared many good memories. I am very sad!!Brian Bigler
I knew Ed and his family most of my life. I first met Ed in school, but he and his brother joined the Boy Scout Troop that my dad had organized. He and I kept in touch from time to time after high school when he went off to college and I got drafted and joined the Navy (do any of you know that it was Rick Vogels' dad who reached into that big glass jar and selected draft numbers?). Following my tour, I entered college at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. By an incredible stroke of coincidence, I worked one summer on an island north of Kodiak with the guy who roomed with Ed at Tuskegee. It was clear that fate would keep Ed and I in touch no matter the miles that separated us.
It wasn't until I moved to Florida two years ago that Ed and I lived close enough that we kept in regular touch. He spent a week with my wife and I last year and we were able to catch up on everything that had happened in the previous four decades. Wow, how time flies.
I miss Eds' easy laughter to my lame one-liners and his warm personality. What a great friend.
Oren Kaplan
On the eve of our 50 year reunion; fond memories of the way we knew you:
LAMAR, Edward B., Sr. On Monday, June 6, 2011 Edward B. Lamar, Sr. (called "Lamar" by friends and "Brother" by family) passed unexpectedly at the age of 86. Born in Atlanta in 1925 he was the eldest son of the late Edmond and Ruby McCoy Lamar. Lamar spent his early years helping his father at the family store and concentrating on his education. He graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S. in 1943, briefly served in the U.S. Merchant Marines where he first began his international travels, and then continued his education at North Carolina A & T University, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1948. In 1950 he married his college sweetheart, Wilba Frances Harris of Camden SC, and returned to Atlanta. Lamar, considered to be one of the first African-American engineers in Atlanta, was unable to find a job in his profession in Atlanta. He and his wife moved to Portland, OR where he worked as an engineer at Bonneville Power and where his first son, Edward Jr. was born. Next they moved to Seattle, WA where he was employed by the Boeing Corporation and where his second son, Marshall, was born. Overseas travel and exposure to large projects was of interest to this young engineer and he took an engineering position with the Army Corps of Engineers (as a civilian). Lamar and his family spent ten years overseas, first in Karachi, Pakistan and then in Okinawa, Japan where he and his wife had two more children, daughters Shelley and Hilary. In late 1965 after gaining a vast array of experience on projects throughout the Far East he moved his family back to the United States. They settled in Silver Spring, MD while he was employed with the US Department of the Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Command. He eventually left the federal government and began a career with the Department of Housing and Community Development in Washington, D.C. where he served as Director of Engineering and Maintenance. While in Washington D.C. Lamar earned a Master's Degree in Construc tion Management from George Washington University. Eventually this native Atlantan began to feel the need to get back to his roots. In 1976 he was offered a position with Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) as an Asst. Director and returned to Atlanta. He worked for the AHA for several years before moving back to federal government as Planning Manager for Waste Treatment Facilities Water Management Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the early 1980's, after retiring from EPA, Lamar then went to work for the engineering firm, Williams Russell & Johnson, where he became involved in the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport expansion program. Shortly after joining WRJ, Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young appointed Lamar as Director of Planning & Development for the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation where he managed the airport development program for nearly a decade before retiring. Later, working with Aviation Consulting Engineers he continued to work on the development of Atlanta's Airport. Throughout his long and successful career Lamar gained many friends as well as respect from everyone he met. He was active in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, in his community, serving on the Board of his homeowner's association, and in the Joymen's Club (the oldest African-American men's social club in the U.S.A.). His love of travel continued to his last days as he was planning a trip to the Caribbean with his children. He was known for his jovial personality and quick wit. His philosophy on life was "never to dwell on the negative" and he always had an arsenal of jokes ready for anyone willing to listen. He believed in the Joymen's motto "LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH." He instilled in his children the importance of education, professionalism, and personal responsibility. Lamar above all cherished family, immediate and extended. He was the family patriarch. He was a wonderful provider, a loving husband, a great father, and a great counselor and true friend to many, and last but not least, a great engineer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Wilba Harris Lamar, his son, Marshall G. Lamar, sisters Peggy Lamar Cantrell and Vivian Lamar Foreman. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Dr. Edward B. Lamar, Jr. of Powder Springs, daughters, Shelley A. Lamar of Lithonia and Hilary D. Lamar of Stone Mountain;, sisters, Edith (Lewis) Linsey and Rudine (Richard) Beneford; brother, Herbert (Clara) Lamar, all of Atlanta; brother-in-law, Willie (Lucille) Harris of Newnan; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all over the world. Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 13, 2011 at 10 am at Headland Heights United Methodist Church, 2147 Dodson Dr., East Point.. Rev. George P. Lanier, Pastor, officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 9:30 am on day of service. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make contributions may make them to, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Education Foundation (a 501 C3 organization). Make checks payable to: Omicron Phi Lamdda Education Foundation, P.O. Box 91303, East Point, GA 30364. Viewing today 10 am - 6 pm and Wake this afternoon from 2 pm until 5pm. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Omega Service will take place at 4 pm. at Murray Brothers (404) 349-3000. mbfh.com
Mrs Wilba Frances Harris Lamar, 80 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA) - Thursday, March 4, 2010
Stephen Ehrlich
Eddie was one of those guys that always had a great smile anytime you saw him. I remember being in Altanta many years after high school at a local mall and there was Eddie. He came up behind me and surprised me with his smiling laughter. My prayers are with Eddie's family and thanks for allowing me to know him.Steven Butler
Dang...I have been keeping up with the site and all of a sudden I see Eddie passed and friends I knew writing comments and others passed, and others passed and I have not reached out to but knew growing up it was the best life!!! It is hitting me now!!! RIP Eddie and all my classmates Before RIP!!! Sorry I have not been there Oren, Steve, others from elementary school thtu graduation...See you at the reunion!!!