Louis Joseph Lambert Jr.

Louis Joseph Lambert Jr - born in Deridder, Louisiana on December 21, 1940 - passed away peacefully at his home on September 27, 2025, while surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his father Louis J Lambert Sr, Mother Roberta Lambert, brother Billy Lambert, and grandson Hunter Louis Lambert. He is survived by his cherished wife of 59 years, Mary Smith Lambert. He leaves behind his sister Edana Sparcino, daughter Jessica Lambert and her grandson Hayze Lambert, son John Lambert, and son Michael Lambert, father of Kaleb Lambert and Alexander Lambert. As a young man in Sorrento, Louisiana, he assisted his father with the operation of a modest grocery store, supplementing their inventory with produce that he grew in a small vegetable garden. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Excellent marks in his civics class provided the opportunity to temporarily work as a page in the Louisiana state legislature. Building upon that momentum, and with encouragement from his devout and loving mother, he lobbied his local US congressman and was selected to become a page in Washington, DC. He graduated from the capital page school at the top of his class, in 1958, in a ceremony that featured a keynote address given by then senator John F Kennedy, with diplomas distributed by then Vice President Richard M Nixon. He earned a BA in political science at Louisiana State University, and a law degree from Loyola University in New Orleans. During his time at Loyola, he supported himself by driving an elementary school bus in the morning, teaching class at that school, then attending classes in the evening. He married Mary Gayle Smith in 1966, after meeting her while working as a lifeguard at the Gonzales swimming pool. They adopted three children through Catholic social services, forming a family that would be at the center of his attention, care, and thoughts for the remainder of his life. In 1968, he opened a law practice in Gonzales. He was elected to the Louisiana state senate in 1972, then to the public service commission in 1974. He would serve in the PSC for 18 years, building a reputation as a fighter for his constituents through constant oversight and the application of judicious regulations. In 1979, he joined the race for governor of Louisiana after the office was vacated by the term-limited incumbent. He secured the Democratic nomination, but was narrowly defeated by Dave Treen, the Republican candidate, in what is considered the closest gubernatorial race in contemporary Louisiana history. In 1994, he was once again elected to the Louisiana state senate. He later served on the LSU Board of Supervisors. Louis Lambert dedicated much of his life to public service, the rule of law, and his deep faith. He was a voice for his constituents, a believer in a nation of laws, not men, and the Constitution of the United States. He was a mentor to many aspiring lawyers and nascent politicians, above all, he was a man who loved his family, a sentiment that he never neglected to express. He introduced the legislation to form the River Parish Community College, which he would later say was his proudest accomplishment as a senator. He was also inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2024. The Lambert family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Doctor McCanless and his wonderful staff, Hospice of Baton Rouge and to Dr. Rajat Bhushan, as well as the many friends and neighbors who provided assistance and care during this difficult time. A visitation will be held Friday, October 3, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Anne's Catholic Church, 7348 Main St, Sorrento, LA 70778, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Louis will be laid to rest in Hope Haven Garden of Memory, 604 E. Hwy 30, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737.