Jason Scott Lamb, a member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, at the home of his sister, Erin Lamb Meeches of Waterford. He was 53 years old.
Jason, the son of Trudie Lamb Richmond of Groton, and Raymond Lamb of New York City, had a great passion for learning. When he was 12 years old, he didn't want his friends to know he was reading books like "Jason and the Golden Fleece," so he hid them inside the cover of a comic book. The turning point in his life occurred in the summer before starting his second year of high school. He was accepted into A Better Chance Program which offered children of color a quality education and increased opportunities to assume positions of responsibility and leadership. A graduate of Dartmouth College in 1981, he majored in history. In 1983, he received his master of arts degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education concentrating in administration planning and social policy. He attended the Madison School of Law at the University of Wisconsin from 1986 to 1988.
In 1998, he returned to Connecticut and accepted the position as assistant tribal prosecutor with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. He did extensive legal research and writing on such diverse topics as child support and family violence protective orders and drafted legal opinions on the tribe's truancy laws. Several years later in 2002, he obtained the position he had been trained for, Senior Legal and Policy Analyst in the office of the secretary of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council.
Jason was a father, a grandfather, and a friend to many. One of his greatest passions was protecting the rights and civil liberties of Native people; he devoted his time, legal expertise, and love to this cause. He was never too busy to listen. It did not matter who needed help, he extended his hand, his mind, and his legal experience to them. He will be greatly missed by the many people he loved, helped, or tried to assist.
Besides his mother, father, and sister, he is survived by his children, Jason Jr., Tatewin, Akicita, and Kirk Miller; two stepchildren, Alana and Jeremy Running Crane; two grandchildren, Wiomnimin and Waditaka; his stepbrother, Lance Richmond; his brother-in-law, Garry Meeches; his niece, Wunneanatsu Lamb Cason and her husband, Gregory; his nephews, Frank Lamb and Garry Meeches Jr.; and his aunt, Johnette LaConte; as well as many cousins and a multitude of loving friends.
A viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at the home of Erin Lamb Meeches, 5 Marlin Drive, Waterford.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.
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