Steven Tommy Lambert Jr., 82, passed away Monday, May 12, 2008, at 3 p.m. in his home, surrounded by his family and friends.

Steven T. Lambert was born Dec. 20, 1925, in Baskin, La. to Steven Randolph Lambert and Ethel Estelle (Ezell) Lambert. He was one of three sons, Bill, Steve and Orvis.
Steve grew up in Louisiana, learning at an early age that he had to work hard for anything he really wanted. He remembered working for the neighbors to earn money to keep himself in blue jeans. One time he walked to town and bought a money order, putting part of the money order in an envelope with the Sears order and throwing the other part on the ground. A few days later he received the order envelop back from Sears telling him that he sent them the money order stub instead of the actual money order. He backtracked the steps he had taken to town and actually found the discarded money order along side the road. He was only 12 or 13 years old at the time. After working as a carpenter's helper for his uncle at the age of 16, purchasing his own livestock and farming equipment, he worked his own land for one year. He then moved to Vicksburg, Miss., and waited until his 18th birthday to sign up to serve his country. He joined the Army Jan. 1, 1944. While serving his country, Steve fought in Southern France and Germany, and fought with the 399th regiment of the 100th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. During his service to his country he received a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 11, 1947, from Fort George Meade, M.D. While serving in the Army, he married Vesta Lambert, and they had one daughter, Sharron Kay Lambert.
He met and married Virginia Ilene Love, April 4, 1949. They had seven children and celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this year. Steve went to work for International Milling Company in Blackwell in 1957 and retired in 1987. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Blackwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and both brothers; his daughter, Sharron; and several nieces and nephews who were dear to him.

Surviving him are his wife, Virginia, of the home; his son, Steven Michael Lambert and wife, Robin, of Roanoke, Va.; daughters, Terri Lea Garoutte and husband, Glen, of Cordell, Cheri Lynn Roquemore and husband, Roland, of Ponca City, Janyce Marie Leighton and husband, Bill, of Oklahoma City, Stephanie Louann Lambert and husband David Davis, of Wichita, Kan., Judith Ray Lambert, of Sapulpa, and Jennifer Sue Nash and husband, Vance, of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are grandchildren, Joseph Garoutte, Mandie Post, Donnie White, Kristy Anson, Shailynn Leighton, Devin Nease, Andrea Lambert, Rochelle Goodall, Kathrine Goodall, Pamela Smith, Bethany DeHart, Jillian Lambert, Reagan Lambert, Aaron Nash, Christopher Nash, Tony deRonnebeck, Christina Tieu, Chris Roquemore, Matt Roquemore, Heather Roquemore, and Brandi Harless. Great-grandchildren are Abigail Lambert, Alexandra, Alissa, and Miranda Post, Eddie and Kaylyn White, Trent Heilman, Aiden White, Victoria, Kevin and Adreanna Anson, Christian, Porcha, and Austin Harless, Brooke Barnett, and Brock, Whitney and Hailey Roquemore. Other family members who have been of great help and support in the past years are nephew, Gary Lambert, niece, Kathy Silks, and sister-in-law Lorene Silks. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends.

Memorial services will be Thursday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Blackwell. There will be no graveside services.