John J. Lambert, 76, Upham, formerly of Minot, died Monday, February 11, 2013 in a Minot Hospital.

John was born December 18, 1936 at Wadena, Minnesota, the son of John and Olga (Hill) Lambert. He was raised and educated in Minnesota and graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in 1954 at Bertha, MN. He assisted with the operation of the family farm, prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1956. He honorably served his country on the USS Midway until 1960, when he returned to North Dakota.

John was united in marriage to Virginia Schmidt on October 2, 1957 at Fargo. After his discharge, they made their home at Finley, ND, where he was employed with RCA Service Company at the local radar station there. In 1963, RCA transferred him to Alamogordo, New Mexico.

In 1969, they returned to North Dakota, where he began work at the Burroughs Corporation in Fargo. In 1970, they transferred with Burroughs to Minot, where he worked as a computer technician until retiring in 2001. After retiring, John and Virginia enjoyed traveling in their motor home visiting friends and family across the country. They moved to Upham in 2009. Virginia died on October 13, 2011.

John was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. From tenting in the mountains of New Mexico, to the pop-up camper in Garrison, ND, to living full time in the motor home with Virginia. He taught his sons, grandsons and granddaughters to hunt and fish and respect the land and the animals they hunted. He coached little league baseball teams for each of his sons.

John was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot, where he actively served on the Church Council and Church School Board. He actively participated with the Bishop Ryan High SchoolActivities. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

His loving family includes, children, Valerie (Tom) Kempf, Sawyer, Lori (Kevin Hochhalter)Raub, Surrey, James (Sandra) Lambert, Minot, Bradley (Shellie) Lambert, Minot, Chad (Jennifer Korgel) Lambert, Surrey; Fourteen Grandchildren, Sixteen Great-Grandchildren; Two great-great grandchildren; sister, Delores Horn, West Fargo, ND and sister-in-law, Lucille Lambert, Staples, MN; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Virginia, sisters, Audrey Jensen and Shirley Vasquez and brother, Darrel Lambert and granddaughter, Kelsie Myers, great granddaughter, Aurora Raub.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer service : Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation : Thursday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials be designated to the Our Lady of Grace Church Food Pantry.