Carl Stanley Lambert

Carl "Snap" Lambert, Jr., 92, of Gahanna, Ohio passed away on March 29, 2016 of terminal cancer. Beloved husband to Betty, his wife of 67 years; cherished father of Debbie (Abdul) and Sandy (Don); brother to Donald (deceased), devoted grandfather to Angela (Jimmy) and Alisha, and great-grandfather to Cooper.

Snap was born on November 23, 1923 in the small coal-mining town of Santoy, Ohio to Carl Lambert Sr. and Jennie Brown. After graduating from McLuney High School in 1941, he held jobs as a coal miner and a saggar-maker. At 19, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps to serve his country during World War II. A radio operator on a B-17 bomber, Snap was part of the 381st bomb group, 534th squadron stationed in Ridgewell, England. He flew 35 missions including D-Day, which earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement.

After the War, he devoted his life to his family and the company he and Betty owned and operated. Snap remained the vital force behind Lambert Sheet Metal, Inc.'s success for 47 years until the week before his death. "I'm just an old hillbilly boy trying to make a living," he liked to say, but in truth he was an innovator in his field. Lambert Sheet Metal's custom retail storefronts can be found in 49 states and in countries worldwide: a testament to his business acumen and lifelong work ethic.

Carl was a founding board member and treasurer of the Sheet Metal Contractors of Central Ohio; a member of several state and national small business and industry associations; an inductee into the McLuney High School Hall of Fame; and a financial contributor to World War II museums in Savannah, Georgia and Ridgewell, England, among others.

Snap enjoyed taking yearly fishing trips to Florida with his close friends; spending time with his two daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandson; and having adventures big and small with his wife, Betty, the great love of his life.

Personal ambition or glory did not drive Carl: family did. He spent his life working to provide for his wife and daughters and was a devoted, supportive friend. Carl leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled generosity and caring. He spent his last days surrounded by family, and passed peacefully holding his wife's hand.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life from 5-8pm Friday, April 1, 2016 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 Johnstown Road, Gahanna. His funeral service will be held there at 10am Saturday, April 2, 2016. Burial will follow at Mifflin Township Cemetery.

Donations in Carl's memory may be directed to the Motts Military Museum http://www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org/funding.html at 5075 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125 or to the Fisher House Foundation https://donate.fisherhouse.org/default.aspx?tsid=3147 at 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850.