Services for Joan Marlene (Baron) Lamkin, 84, are set for 11:00 a.m. Friday September 7, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood, with burial to follow in Greenleaf Cemetery. Davis-Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation with the family will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Joan died Saturday, September 1, 2018, in San Antonio after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
Joan was born January 20, 1934 in Hearne, Texas, the daughter of Otis and Selma Baron. She graduated from Balboa High School (Panama Canal Zone) in 1952 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1956 from Baylor University. In 1970, she earned her Masters of Education from Texas A&M University.
On July 26, 1956, she married Jack Lamkin, Jr. of Brownwood. On their honeymoon they made the first of numerous trips to Big Bend National Park. Joan began her teaching career in 1958 at Halandale ISD in San Antonio, TX. In the summer of 1958, she joined Jack in Augsburg, Germany while he was serving in the United States Army. In 1959, they returned to Brownwood to start a family where son Jack, III, (“Jay”) was born in 1959 and daughter Lynne was born in 1961. In 1965, Jack and Joan moved to Navasota, Texas where Joan taught for two years, while Jack earned his Masters of Economics. In 1967 they moved to College Station, Texas and in 1970, Joan began a 23 year teaching career in College Station ISD.
During her time in College Station, Joan was an active community member and volunteer, serving with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Red Cross. From 1988 to 1996, she was a member of the College Station Historic Preservation Committee and served as Chair from 1994 to 1996. She also served in volunteer positions at A&M United Methodist Church in College Station.
After Joan retired in 1993, she and Jack relocated to Marathon, Texas in 1995 to volunteer at Big Bend National Park where they contributed more than 10,000 hours. Joan and Jack were founding members of the Big Bend Conservancy and they spearheaded the drive to authorize a specialized Texas license plate for Big Bend National Park. In 1999, Jack and Joan were recognized for their contributions to the National Parks Service by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In 2012, Jack and Joan were honored by the Big Bend Conservancy for outstanding volunteer service to Big Bend National Park. From 1995 to 2005, Joan served as pianist and children’s leader at the Marathon United Methodist Church and on the Wesley Student Center Board of Directors at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
Joan and Jack returned to Brownwood in 2006 and became actively involved in the Martin and Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum and the First United Methodist Church. Following Jack’s death in 2011, Joan relocated to San Antonio.
Joan is survived by her sister Barbara Scott (husband William), Pilot Point, TX; son, Jack T. Lamkin, III (wife Robbie), Allen, TX; daughter, Lynne Benson (husband Larry), San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Matthew Lamkin (Kimberlly); Jeffrey Lamkin (Joanna); Tyler Lamkin; Kelsey Gruen (Tom, sons Henry and Peter); Kendall Bales (Meredith); Michael Benson; Jarred Benson (sons Jourdan and London); and Bailey Benson.
She was preceded in death by, Jack, her husband of 54 years and her brother Donald.
Memorials may be made to the Big Bend Conservancy or the charity of your choice.
