JOHN MELVIN LAMBERT

John M. Lambert, proud graduate of the Class of '68, passed away on April 29, 2008 and was laid to rest in Georgia War Veteran's Cemetery in Milledgeville, Ga.

John was born on November 6, 1946 in Leominster, Mass. After graduation from Lunenburg, Mass. High School in 1964, he was honored with a nomination to the Air Force Academy which he accepted with pride. His dream of becoming a pilot was not to be, as the dreaded spectacles took precedence. Undaunted, he attended Navigator Training and flew C-130s at Clark, Mather, Westover, Niagara Falls, Homestead and Warner Robins Air Force Bases, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Vietnam War.

In 1976, he received his MBA from Western New England College where he was Burser for three years before returning to the Air Force as a full time Reservist, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1992, he began his Civil Service career as Command Air Space Manager until his retirement on Dec. 6, 2006

Throughout his life, John shared his love of music and his very low bass voice, first with his classmates in Lunenburg, then with the Cadet Chorale (remember Carol Channing?) and Catholic Choir, and finally with every church he was a member of along the way. He had a way of doing things with intensity, from his music to his "beloved blasted" TR7s to golf and woodworking. His garage was his workshop, where many beautiful items were lovingly crafted.

Survivors are his wife of almost 40 years, Marty; his daughter Jennifer (Jeff) Edmunds of Tampa, his son Ethan (Carrie) Lambert of Warner Robins, granddaughter Alana Lambert, mother Claire G. Lambert of Warner Robins, and brother Dave of Bellows Falls, VT; John also has two more beautiful granddaughters born shortly after his death, Mackenzie and Hailey. And I really can't leave out Biscotti the Basset Hound, who felt his loss as much as any human.

The mixed quartet at Trinity United Methodist Church, with whom he sang for many years, offered this unusual but very appropriate musical tribute to his life at the funeral.

"SOME BRIGHT MORNING WHEN THIS LIFE IS OVER
I'LL FLY AWAY
TO THAT HOME ON GOD'S CELESTIAL SHORE
I'LL FLY AWAY"

Memorial contributions may be made to Cherished Children, 511 Myrtle Street, Warner Robins, GA 31093

(Marty Lambert, his wife)