Frank "Mac" S Lambeth Jr.

Frank Simmons Lambeth, Jr. (Mac) passed away January 7, 2026. He was born April 11, 1943 in Thomasville, N.C. He was the son of Frank Simmons Lambeth, Sr. and Virginia Cook Lambeth. Mac attended Thomasville City Schools and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from High Point College.

He first worked as the Record Librarian at Radio Station WMFR, owned by his father, eventually becoming a Radio Announcer, Engineer, Advertising Salesman and Accountant.

In 1965, he married Marlene Brinley Lambeth. They lived in High Point until he was inducted to the United States Air Force in 1966 and spent most of his career as a fighter pilot.

During his career he flew the T- 37, followed by the T-38, where he served as an instructor pilot in both trainers. In 1972, Mac was a highly decorated pilot, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses while serving a year in Southeast Asia, flying the famed A-1 Skyraider as a Search and Rescue pilot. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses. The last airplane Mac flew was the A-7, from 1978 to 1981 and again from 1984 to 1986.

In 1981, Mac was transferred to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), where he served in Plans and Policies (P&P). During this time he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

The summer of 1984, he returned to the states, where he served as the Wing Senior Advisor, stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, near Columbus, Ohio. In December, 1986 he retired.

Following his military career, Mac flew for American Airlines from 1987 to 2003, retiring as Captain.

Mac will be remembered for his bass voice as a singer and speaker.

Mac is survived by his wife, Marlene, daughter, Laura Lambeth VanOtteren (Ed), brothers Craig Oliver Lambeth and Randy McAulay Lambeth (Erina), granddaughters Josephine Marie VanOtteren (Trevor), Nellie Isabella Frame Little, nieces, nephew and several cousins.

The Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at North Raleigh Presbyterian Church, 11095 Strickland Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613 on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to North Raleigh Presbyterian Church music fund at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z3TD/home or Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27615, at https://springmoor.org/a-welcoming-community/endowment-fund/

He will be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the Lambeth family.