Gene Farris Lambert

Gene Farris Lambert, born on January 18, 1934, passed away on October 6, 2021, in his hometown of Maryville, Tennessee. Preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Fonde Lambert; parents, Sam George and Jessie Keller Lambert; brothers, Ralph “Bud”, George (Dolores), Jack (Connie), Glenn (Bobbie), and Jerry “Babe” (Anne), and sisters, Thelma Farmer (Paul), Virginia Reanue (Hobert), Francis Denton (Bruce), numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Gene grew up in a large and active family with nearly 100 first cousins between his mother’s family (the Kellers) and his father’s family (the Lamberts) in Blount County, Tennessee. Gene’s childhood was filled with hard work as he helped run the large family farm alongside his 9 siblings. His high school days were busy as well. Sports were a constant in his young life, as he served as captain of the Maryville High School football and basketball team. He was elected Class President of 1953 and served alongside Vice President, Nancy Fonde. Nancy was the love of his life, initially meeting in 1st grade. They married and lived life to the fullest during their nearly 65 years together.

After graduating high school, Gene went on to attend Clemson University. Soon after returning home, he got right to work. As the son and nephew of some of the nation’s most successful pioneers in the rock crushing industry, he followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the family business, Lambert Brothers, Inc. in the 1950’s. In 1957, Lambert Brother’s, Inc. merged with other companies to create Vulcan Materials Company. Gene became a leader in the Lambert Brothers Division of the company, later renamed Midsouth, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. He traveled the country as a respected expert in quarry management while working on many of the most notable construction projects in our nation’s modern history. Making a large impact in the company’s success, Gene retired as Vice President of Production in 1993.

As one to never sit still, Gene furthered the use of his skills and obtained several patents, specific to the rock crushing industry. His quiet nature would quickly shift when one would ask him about his inventions or times in the quarries. With Nancy, Gene was blessed with a rewarding life, surrounded around their three sons, Doug, Billy, and Keith. He cherished his times in his home workshops building amazing wooden creations specifically intended for one of his many family members. Gene loved traditions. One of which was Nancy and him taking their children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren on annual trips to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. There, he would build sandcastles, ride bikes, and fish along the shore. Gene was deeply proud of his family and together with Nancy, they attended their children and grandchildren’s sporting events for nearly 60 years. He was never short of friends, many of whom traveled with Nancy and him over the years. He led Scout trips all over the Great Smoky Mountains and created stories still told for generations, especially him driving the Scout bus known as the “Green Pickle” and fixing it roadside on several occasions. Gene was the true definition of a gentleman. He was known as quietly confident, thoughtful, creative, and in all things, he placed his family first. His stoic presence will be deeply missed. Friends and family celebrate his homecoming and reuniting with his beloved, Nancy.

Gene is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Doug and Denise Lambert of Maryville, Billy and Lisa Lambert of Knoxville, and Keith and Kathy Lambert of Maryville; grandchildren, Shay Trembley (John), Michelle Lambert, Christopher Lambert (Riley), Renee Hammett (Matthew), Matthew Lambert (Megan), Sara Hughes (Woodrow), Tina Waggoner (Thomas), and Thomas Lambert (Chrissy Hopson); great-grandchildren, Grace Dunn and Owen Trembley, Caden and Isaiah Brock, Rex Wiseman, Davis, Eva and Brett Hammett, and Ada Waggoner; his brother and sister-in-law Eddie and Nancy Lambert of Rogersville, Tennessee; nieces Sarah Hill Gray (Chris) of Marietta, Georgia, Martha Hill Dugger (Lee) of Asheville, North Carolina, numerous Lambert family nieces and nephews; Keller and Lambert cousins; and Holger and Nanni Liedloff, Tascha and Franziska of Preetz, Germany.

The family is thankful for the comfort provided to Gene during his final months at Asbury Place in Maryville, Tennessee. Friends may pay respects to sign the register book from 9-3 on Friday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet 11:00 AM, Saturday at Grandview Pavilion for a graveside service with Dr. Jerry Russell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a gift in memory of Gene Farris Lambert to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
o St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
PO Box 1000
Department 142
Memphis, TN 38148-0142