Kathryn “Kathy” Janel Lamkin
Kathryn “Kathy” Janel Lamkin of Pearland, TX died on April 4, 2022, at the age of 74 after a short illness. She was a professional actress known for her role as The Tea Lady in the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacres.
Kathy was born on Dec 10, 1947, in Graham, Texas, to James L. Ramsey and Jeneva B. (Medearis). After graduating high school she attended Texas Woman’s University. On Aug 2, 1969, she married Stephen L. Lamkin and they spent 11-years in various locations while Steve served in the U.S. Air Force. Kathy completed her BS in Theatre and Master’s in Mass Communications from Central Missouri State University.
They eventually settled in Pearland, Texas in 1983 where they raised their children and she taught theatre arts at Codwell Elementary School in Houston. Later, Kathy not only created and ran Unicorn School of Acting and later the performing wing, USA Theatre, but was active with her acting in the film and theatre community. Kathy was proud of the successes of her students as they moved on in their careers.
In 2002, Kathy began to commute between Houston and Los Angeles to further her professional career. While there she had many memorable roles in both TV and films, including Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal, Bones, In the Valley of Elah, The Heartbreak Kid, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. She won a SAG Award as part of the cast for No Country for Old Men.
Kathy loved time with her family including their pets and was a devoted wife and mother. Kathy had a love of painting that she learned from her mother. She had an infectious smile and a quick wit. After Steve retired, they enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. Kathy believed in being kind to everyone and celebrating Christmas year-round by sharing gifts with loved ones.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jerry and Donald; and her sisters Mrs. Jeannie Guinn and Mrs. Jeannette Oreschnigg. She is survived by her husband of 52 years Steve, her daughter Kati Lamkin, her son Greg and his wife Jamie, and grandchildren Benjamin and Morgan Lamkin. Kathy will be missed by her family and friends and left an impact on all she encountered during her life on this Earth.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be given to The Actors Fund (actorsfund.org)
Katy was one of my favorite actors and it really saddens me to hear that she has passed away. May she find peace in the afterlife and perhaps entertain everyone there with her performances. Rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to the Lamkin family. No one here knows me, but Kathy’s work touched me deeply over the years. I had the pleasure to meet her and her husband years ago at a restaurant in LA. I’m sure I didn’t properly express my admiration for her work, but I attempted. Her performances still echo in my memory, as I’m sure they do for many other people.
I can only imagine how deeply she’ll be missed by those who knew her best.
I am so very sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. My deepest condolences to Steve, Kati and Greg. It was a pleasure working with her at Unicorn School and USA Theatre and I learned so much from her. I enjoyed Kathy’s kind sense of humor and she was a great teacher. God bless