James "Jim" Leroy Leroy "Jim" Lambert

James "Jim" Leroy Lambert, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the remarkable age of 101.

Jim was born on March 26, 1924, in Waverly, Kentucky, to Margaret Pauline (Greenwell) Lambert and Roy Evans Lambert. He married the love of his life Betty Ann (Glahn) Lambert on May 10, 1952, and they shared 49 wonderful years together until her passing in 2001.

Jim began his studies in engineering at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, until the military repurposed the campus for soldier training. Encouraged by his parish priest, he then pursued the seminary, attending St. Charles College and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD, earning a degree in Philosophy. He attended seminary for one year at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., before deciding that the priesthood was not his calling. His deep faith, however, remained a guiding force throughout his life. Returning home to Kentucky, he worked the 1950 census in Owensboro where he met Betty.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, and man of faith. He served his church community faithfully throughout his life. At Annunciation Parish-Christ the King campus-he was actively involved in the Men's Club, helped run bingo nights, and served as a lector until the age of 95. He also served as a Eucharistic minister. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus Council 565 in Evansville and served as financial secretary, a Sir Knight of the 4th Degree and was a devoted oblate of St. Meinrad Archabbey.

A lifelong fan of baseball, Jim's love for the game began with attending St. Louis Cardinals games alongside his father. He later passed this tradition on to his own children, taking them to games when they were young. A skilled player himself in his youth, Jim's enthusiasm for the sport never faded. He proudly cheered on his sons and grandsons from the sidelines for many years and also enjoyed watching his granddaughters compete in ice skating and lacrosse.

Music was another great joy in Jim's life. The Lambert home was often filled with song -especially the voices of Perry Como and Andy Williams. Christmas gatherings were particularly special, with family songs shared around the piano, accompanied by his daughters playing.

Having grown up on a farm, Jim maintained a lifelong connection to the land. He closely followed crop conditions and rainfall, often taking drives to "check on the corn" in Kentucky. He enjoyed bringing his young children along for the fall corn harvest. Each year, the family would gather strawberries from his parents' farm and return home to make a giant pan of homemade strawberry preserves-a treasured memory for all.

He retired from Whirlpool Corporation after 37 years of dedicated service in the Accounting Dept. spending the last 2 years in Benton Harbor, MI. He was a devoted member of the Institute of Management Accountants for over 50 years. In retirement, he stayed active by assisting with a paper route-often walking it himself to stay fit-and tending to his garden. He was also an avid follower of the stock market and rarely missed his daily financial programs.

Over the course of his 101 years, Jim witnessed extraordinary changes in the world. He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and walked a mile each way to and from school. He was born on a farm without electricity, which was installed when he was 13. He lived through the Great Depression and World War II, saw his family transition from horse-drawn wagons to automobiles, and traveled by plane, eventually visiting Europe several times with some of his children. In his later years, he embraced technology with enthusiasm, learning to use computers and even owning his own iPad.

Jim is survived by his children: Paul Lambert, Catherine Lambert, and Teresa Shearer (Tim), all of Indianapolis, IN; Mary McCutchan (David L.), Stephen Lambert, John Lambert, and Louise Carter (Keith), all of Evansville, IN; Phil Lambert (Suzanne) of Newburgh, IN; and Jim Lambert of Paducah, KY. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Mark McCutchan, Brett McCutchan (Leslie), Wendy McCutchan, Jennifer McCutchan, Luke Shearer, Samuel Lambert, Kellie Lambert, Mia Carter, Ryan Lambert, Dessie Vetter (Steve), Chad Shearer (Apple), and Eric Shearer (Jennifer); 19 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Josephine Drury and Florence Henshaw; and his grandchildren, David HEATH McCutchan and Christopher Aaron McCutchan.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville with a memorial service at 5:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary. Visitation will continue Monday, August 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Parish, Christ the King Campus, 3010 E. Chandler Ave., Evansville. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Father John Pfister officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 2500 Mesker Park Dr., Evansville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Parish, Christ the King Campus, 3010 E. Chandler Ave., Evansville, IN 47714, Knights of Columbus Gibault Children's Services, 6401 S. US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802 or offerings for Masses in memory of Betty and James Lambert.

Jim's strength, warmth, and wisdom touched the lives of many; we will miss him deeply.