Retired Lt. Col Barry Wayne Lambert, 81, of Elizabethtown, formerly of Flaherty, KY and Destin, FL, passed away, Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Carl M Breshear Radcliff Veterans Center where he was a resident for nearing five years.
Barry was born in Shawnee, OK. His parents were Henry and Ester Cockrell Lambert. Barry joined the Army in 1961 and served honorably 22 years. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. In the Army he received many awards and decorations among which were the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal by direction of the President, the distinguished flying cross for Heroism in Aerial Flight, Certificate of Achievement Award, The Army Commendation Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster.
Barry was also assistant Professor of Military Service at Western Kentucky University after Army Retirement. He served as the executive officer MSII instructor and supervisor of Civilian employees responsible for the administrative requirements supporting 500 cadets. He was instrumental in Starting the Junior ROTC program at North Bullitt High School and was commander and teacher there for 20 years.
Barry influenced and encouraged many young people in choosing career paths. He also received the ROTC Award of Merit by the Military Order of the World Wars for outstanding achievement and certificate of appreciation for outstanding service in support of Junior ROTC Encampment 92 by U.S. Army Second Region Cadet Command, Ft. Knox.
Barry was a graduate with Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska, attended Elizabethtown Technical College, Jefferson Community College, University of Louisville School of Education.
Barry is a present member of St. James Catholic Church, a long-time active member of St. Martin’s Church, Flaherty, KY members of Resurrection Catholic Church. Destin, FL and St. Rita Catholic Church , Santa Rosa Beach, FL. He was a volunteer at Santa Rosa Hospital in Miramar Beach, FL and a member of Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 33 years, Ann Carolyn Craycroft Lambert; his half-brother, Richard Clark and his wife Jeanette of Pryor, OK.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Strong Lambert of 22 years, his daughters, Miranda (David) Hobbs, Shayna (James) Luttrell, Keira (Tony) Curtis; Step daughter, Renee (Jay) Biggs; Step son, Jonathan Brown; grandchildren, Taylor, Alec and Braxton Hobbs, Jackson, Nickson, Jameson, Eleanor and Benson Luttrell, and Ann, Macy and Haden Curtis; Step grandchildren, Kristen (Lonnie)Roberts, Matthew Hart and Kaeli Brown; and two step great grandchildren, Evan and Liam Roberts; and he is also survived by two step grandchildren Elizabeth Biggs and Joshua (Erin) Biggs. Survived by a half-sister Barbara (Carl) Best of Pryor, OK and brother-in-law Jim (Mary Levee) Strong.
Barry was always kind, caring and compassionate and loved to be with his family and friends and meet new people. He was much loved by his children and grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.
Barry was an outstanding artist of hundreds of oil paintings. He loved fishing, golf, tennis and travel.
Family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Carl M. Brashear Veterans Center and staff for their dedication and compassionate care for Barry theses last years, and we thank Hosparus for their expert and loving care.
The Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Flaherty, KY with Rev. Thomason Jose officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in St. Martin Catholic Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Nelson-Edelen-Bennett Funeral Home in Vine Grove, KY.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Dementia Foundation APA, Foundation of America in Honor of Barry.
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