Ray Walter Lambert, 84, passed from this life at his home in San Jose, California on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. Ray had battled multiple infections, and recently been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last few months. He has been relieved of his pain and will be greatly missed by his family and especially his beloved wife of 62 years, Marilyn Wilcox Lambert.
Ray was born May 14, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to William Patten and Diana Reid Lambert. He was the youngest of 3 children. Ray attended South High School where he met Marilyn and they began dating during the summer before their senior year. After graduation, Ray had been accepted to Stanford but turned down the opportunity to attend the University of Utah with Marilyn. This was one of the defining decisions of his life. As a Sigma Chi and Marilyn as a Tri-Delt, they became officially engaged their senior year and were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 4, 1958. One year later, Ray completed his Chemical Engineering degree (graduating number one in his class), while Marilyn taught 2nd grade to support the newlyweds.
After graduation, Ray and Marilyn moved to Richland, Washington in 1959 when he began a career with General Electric. Their three sons (David, Steven and Brent) were all born in Richland. Ray’s career with GE focused on nuclear fuel processing and storage. In 1964 the family moved to Santa Clara, California, where Raelynn joined the family in 1968. In the summer of 1969, the family moved to Joliet, Illinois where Ray was appointed manager of engineering for a large new facility. This assignment concluded five years later in 1974, when GE moved the family back to San Jose where their new home became a beautiful landmark in the neighborhood for over 45 years. Ray always excelled in academics and completed an MBA degree at Santa Clara University while working full time for GE. Ray left GE and joined the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in 1982 and over a span of 32 years became a national authority in spent nuclear fuel storage. He officially retired in 2014.
Ray loved being involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous positions including Elders and High Priest leadership, bishoprics, ward mission leader, gospel doctrine teacher, and many others. He was always very meticulous in completing detailed tasks and making sure that everything ran smoothly. If you ever wanted to get something done, you assigned it to Ray. He and Marilyn made a dynamic duo and worked together tirelessly on many church assignments and activities. Service is their middle name.
Throughout his life, Ray loved various athletics, gardening, golf and travel and particularly enjoyed being with his children and extended family and watching them progress and grow. He was blessed with and was grateful for a kidney transplant from his daughter-in-law, Sheri in 2009 that extended his life for over 11 years.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Marilyn Wilcox Lambert, and their children; David Wilcox (MariAnne), Bellevue Washington; Steven Reid (Sheri), Brentwood Tennessee; Brent Walter, San Diego California; Raelynn (Spencer) Woolley, Orem Utah; 12 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and his sister Jean Weiler and brother William Lambert.
Interment in Salt Lake Cemetery, Salt Lake City Utah.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 10:00 - 10:45 am at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Funeral services to follow at 11:00 am at the same location.
Recorded Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/l6Hr_V0RlnkiP1oaVqauF-U_uN9dg_ghEp5uHpEQ-W13octcPpwsRkCdFhHi7LwU.sqHz380pyynOjEdM
So sorry to hear about Ray. I don't remember if David and I properly thanked you both for helping support him on his mission. That was very generous of you.
So sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of many activities with the Lambert family during my youth in the late 70's and early 80's. May the knowledge of the gospel and the comfort of the Lord bring you peace at this time.
Ray didn't know it but he was one of my favorite people that I wanted to be more like..
I will miss him. I wish I could have spent a little more time with him recently. I missed those times we played golf as he subtly quizzed me to see if me and my family were doing alright and the shared a little father's wisdom to keep me on track. Usually the advise was very applicable and nudged me the right way and did not offend because it felt delivered with love and freindship.
Rich Tygerson
JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT BR. LAMBERT'S PASSING THIS MORNING. I'M SORRY I MISSED THE SERVICES, I WOULD'VE LIKED TO SEEN YOU ALL. SO SORRY, LOSING SOMEONE SPECIAL IS HARD EVEN WHEN EXPECTED.
Dear Marilyn and Lambert Family,
Ray is beloved and will be missed by all who know him--myself included. Just want to tell a little "Ray" story. Surely you will receive many because of how caring and helpful he loves to be. He kindly agreed to give a presentation at our Relief Society weekday meeting on budgeting. One thing he mentioned was his skill at grocery shopping. I decided I could use some improvement there and asked if he would share the specials he found. Well, he regularly sent me the weekly deals. And, although I could not maintain his diligence--I was so touched that he would do this.
Another time I was having a very difficult day--well, it was more than a difficult Sunday--I was going through a very difficult time. I was feeling it that Sunday morning--though hoping it would not show because it was not something I wanted to talk about.
Ray came up to me and asked if everything was O.K. It really surprised me. How could he tell? What should I say, not wanting to talk. I don't remember my response. Something to appreciate that he cared, and that I'd be O.K. But I appreciated his caring more than I knew how to articulate. Ray's ministering heart was always on. Guess that is something the he and Marilyn share.
Thank you, Marilyn and Ray. I feel blessed by your friendship, as does Rich.
Laurie Tygerson
We miss our beloved brother, Ray Lambert. I had the opportunity to get to know him well over the years. I enjoyed reading his freshly finished autobiography a couple of months ago and was impressed and amazed that he accomplished so much in his life because of his faith, discipline, and diligence. He was self-reliant from his early school years to the last few months of his life. He had a wonderful wife, children, children-in-law, and grandchildren. He loved us all, young and old. He performed his callings to the best of his ability and successfully reached out to many youth and adults. He and Marilyn cared for his seasonal and very productive vegetable garden and beautiful rose garden until he could not walk easily during the spring of this year. That gardening efforts reflect what Ray did for all God's children in the way he cared for family and friends. We love Ray and miss Ray!
I just learned of Ray's passing. I used to work with Ray at EPRI. He was a great guy. When I first met him he introduced himself as a member of the "Bob and Ray" show (Bob Williams and Ray Lambert that is, not the other show). He worked in a very complicated part of the nuclear energy business, at the crossroads of politics, policy, and technology. He taught me a lot, and I was very grateful for that. Ray was one of the most respected scientist in the field, and always exceedingly personable and great to work with.
I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. He will be remembered.
Joe
I am so sorry to see this. I did not see this until now. I am sending prayers and hugs. So, so sorry.