George Ray Lambert, 81, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully with his wife Amelia by his side on Friday, July 17, 2026.
George was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on October 1, 1944, to Robert Matthew and Dorothy Arlene (Everett) Lambert. He grew up in and around Fayette, Iowa, where he graduated from Fayette High School before enlisting in the US Navy. While in the Navy, he met and courted Amelia Howat, and the two were married on December 12, 1965. After serving honorably during the US - Viet Nam conflict, he returned to Iowa with his small family, which now included their young son Robert. George worked for a time for Amana Refrigeration before enrolling in college at the University of Iowa. After graduating in 1973, George worked briefly for his father’s business, providing seed and supplies to local farmers, before starting a career in Quality Control for the food manufacturing industry. While still living in Fayette, their second child, Eric, was born. In 1976, George and Amelia joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and were sealed with their children in the Washington, DC temple in November of 1978. Over the next several years, George’s career led the family to homes in Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, and Kansas.
In the mid-80s, now living in Kansas City, Missouri, George returned to school to obtain a degree in computer programming in anticipation of a career shift. He worked for many years as a Programmer Analyst for the Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce. He also served alongside his older son, Robert, in Bahrain during the Desert Shield/Desert Storm conflict as a naval reservist. After retiring in 2004, he turned his hand to baking and decorating cakes for church and community events, and leading exercise classes at a local senior living facility. In his 60’s, he decided to start learning to play the guitar, which was a hobby for many years. He also taught himself to cross-stitch, and gifted many beautiful works of art to family and friends. He loved and spoiled his grandchildren, and always had a warm lap for a cat.
George obtained multiple academic degrees and certifications during his life, as well as enjoying carpentry, hunting, cooking, gardening, and playing video games. He served faithfully in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is remembered for sharing his talents and skills in emergency preparedness with his local congregation, as well as for his time teaching Sunday School classes through a prison ministry position.
George is survived by his wife, Amelia Ellen (Howat) Lambert; his son Robert and daughter-in-law Melanie; his son Eric and daughter-in-law Amy; his grandchildren Kayden, George David, Samantha, and Rebecca; his sister Kathie (Lambert) Cybela; his brother Gary Lambert; and his cat Stormy. George was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothy, and his sister Patricia (Lambert) Szyjewski.
A memorial service will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday, August 7, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2700 Ensign Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079. Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in George’s memory to the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter: Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter
