Maurice Lamb

Maurice Louis Lamb, 83, died in Apache Junction, Ariz., March 28, 2024. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he loved aviation, hot rods and shooting sports with friends and family through his life, work, and play. He was born November 5, 1940, in Fargo.

His parents, Maurice and Kathleen Lamb, operated Cashway Lumber from the 1940s – 1970s. He told many stories of the memories and lessons of his younger years. His father died a few years after Maurie graduated from high school and he helped his mother for a number of years after. He graduated from Shanley High School, attended St. John’s University, NDSU and earned a business degree from Moorhead State University. He operated the National Car Rental franchise from 1970-2010 in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot.

Maurie met Coni (Kelsch) the love of his life, in 1979. For their first date he asked her to a car show to help him polish one of his cars and of course the car was already polished when she arrived. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on Nov. 3, 1983, in Park River N.D.

Maurie’s sons Harold A. Heitmann III and John (Patricia) Thompson meant the world to him. He told many happy memories and the times he spent with his nieces and nephews from western North Dakota (John, Mike, Mark, Ron Jochim, Kathleen (Jochim) Berg, James and Patrick Erhardt. He has three grandsons, Michael (Kaitlin), Patrick (Kaitlin) and Matthew (Jessica) Thompson. Maurie’s favorite role was to lead by encouraging faith and education which was key to his grandsons’ development. He treasured his time with them and loved hearing about his 8 great grandchildren. As a young man, Maurie had a pet dog named Burly, and later in life a cat named Georgie. He had a soft spot for his furry friends and treated them like part of his family.

Maurie had many good lifetime friends, and 90 percent of them were known by their initials or nicknames. Friends were from schooldays, former employees of the car rental business, Saturday chili at Rick’s Bar and from the airport and hot rod clubs. He was always ready for a conversation on his cell phone or a stop by visit at his home or shop.

Maurie will always be remembered for his love of a good laugh and the way he wagged his finger when he heard a good tune he liked. We’ll always imagine hearing him say one more time, “Two chances, SLIM … and NONE.” We couldn’t have asked for better memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Kathleen Lamb, Coni’s parents George and Mary Kelsch, and his son, Harold. He is survived by his wife, Coni, his cherished sisters, Kathleen (John-deceased) Jochim, Flasher, N.D., and Margaret (Frank-deceased) Erhardt, Thornton, Colo., his son John, and one niece, nephews, grand and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Life Center of Fargo.

His Funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m., June 8, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fargo.