Lambert, Thomas G. “Tom” 71 passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, November 30, 2018 at his home in Andover. Tom was born on June 6, 1947 in Chico, California with his identical twin and best friend, Ron Lambert, the sons of Robert and Lois (Brinson) Lambert. Tom and Sherrilyn Lambert were united in marriage on September 27, 1997 in Florence, Kansas. Tom’s hero was his father; a career Air Force combat pilot who served, flying over one hundred missions in a P-47 during WWII and later piloting an F-105 in southeast Asia, shot down in North Vietnam over the Gulf of Tonkin and successfully rescued from the sea. Tom followed in his father’s footsteps, enlisting in the United States Air Force. He served initially at the Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska and later, as a weather observer, in the Southeast Asia Weather Central. Tom spent forty-one years in banking, primarily in lending, at Eastside National Bank, Citadel Bank and Trust, and Bank 4, all in Wichita, Kansas as well as Arkansas Valley State Bank and Intrust Bank in Valley Center. Later, Tom joined Chisholm Trail State Bank, retiring as Vice President in 2012. Tom was an avid outdoorsman who loved bowhunting, fishing, boating and water sports with his children. Tom had a great love for music and the ability to name the artist and year in which countless songs were released. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his loving wife; Sherrilyn, children; Christine Rader, Stacy (Christopher) Walker, Dana Wheeler, Darren (Amanda) Wheeler, twin brother; Ron (Kay) Lambert, sister; Lynn Hawkins, brother; Todd (Christine) Lambert. Papa Tom’s grandchildren include; Alexis Lambert, Avery and Austin Walker, Lindsay (Jake) Litwinski, Laci (Dane Bryan) Heatwole, Jonathan Wheeler, Madison, Hannah, and Rylee Wheeler, seven great-grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews, and Deborah Lambert, mother of Christine and Stacy. Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday December 7, 2018 at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. N., Wichita. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita. Visit www.mylakeviewfuneralhome.com to read full obituary.
