Mark “Pa” Lambert, 85, peacefully passed on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, in Norman. He was born on June 30, 1926, in Lexington to Dr. J.B. and Cora May Lambert.

After graduating from University High School, Mark served his country during WWII by joining the Navy and serving as a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class on a U.S. Naval hospital ship. After being honorably discharged from WWII, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma as a pre-med student. In 1949, Mark opened and operated Lambert’s Grocery for a memorable 20 years. His next business venture was with the Farmer’s Insurance Agency in Norman, where he worked as an agent until his retirement in September 1991. Always seen with a smile on his face, Mark was fondly referred to as an eternal optimist. One of Mark’s favorite sayings was, “There could be worse things.” He found great pleasure in life’s simple moments like tending the yard, going to the grandchildren’s sporting events, watching OU sports and occasionally taking a trip to the lake for fishing. He enjoyed meeting his friends in the morning at the Homeland Coffee Shop and then again in the afternoon at the McDonald’s on Lindsey Street for good old boy get-togethers. He served as deacon and treasurer at Trinity Baptist Church in Norman and deacon at First Baptist Church in Norman. He was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church and attended Sunday school classes taught by Roland Kruis and Dr. Cook. He was a longtime member of the Norman Kiwanis Club and the Shriners.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers Stuart and Ray.

Mark is survived by his loving wife Mildred of 60 years; sisters Luetta Melton and husband Larry of Oklahoma City, Janice Younger and husband Bill of Harrison, Ark., and Jean Thomas and husband Col. E.L. of Seneca, S.C.; son, Mike and his wife Lorna; daughter, Marla and her husband Bill Harrell; treasured grandchildren Jason Kirby, Jesse Smith, Morgan Grubb and husband Chance, Melissa Condley and husband Kelsey and Megan Lambert; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Merrill, Dr. Plusquellec and the nurses at Norman Regional, 4 North West, for the wonderful care given to Mark.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bethel Baptist Church in Norman, with burial at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Published in The Norman Transcript