Jim was a graduate of South Side High School, class of 1964. He majored in Industrial Technology at Indiana State University and received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 1970. He then finished up in 1978 with his Master’s of Science Degree also at Indiana State University. Jim taught Industrial Technology for Fort Wayne Community School for 40 years, 4 years at Franklin Jr. High, Elmhurst High School for 16 years, and Wayne High School for 20 years, retiring in 2009. Twenty of those years were spent coaching Football and Wrestling.
He was the Teacher of the Year at Elmhurst High School in 1976, Wayne High School in 1992 and Journal Gazette Honor Roll Teacher in 2009. As a proud Wayne General for over 20 years, he was honored to be inducted into the Wayne High School Athletic “Hall Of Fame” in 2017. Jim has influenced over 1,000 student athletes with his caring, dedication, integrity and positive figure in their lives. With his continued leadership being a self motivator, self discipline and a positive mental attitude he showed “THE WAYNE PRIDE” – “ONCE A GENERAL ALWAYS A GENERAL!”
Jim owned a landscaping/snow plowing business called “Jim Lambert Enterprises”. He also owned and built his own race cars for over 20 years, winning 13 track championships and 156 feature wins at several area tracks. In 2010 he was inducted into the Baer Field Speedway Hall of Fame.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara (Beard Floyd) Lambert; sons, Derek Floyd and Darren (Shaye) Floyd; grandchildren, Cody and Taylor Floyd; brother, Donald (Cinda) Lambert; and sister, Terri Young. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Lambert; and brother-in-law, Gary Young.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 6424 Winchester Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46819, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, August 24, 2026 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Wayne High School Athletic Department, or Easter Seals ARC.
