Mr. Kay Gleason Lambert

January 15, 1934 - May 12, 2013

Kay Gleason Lambert passed away peacefully in his home on May 12, 2013, giving his mom a Mother’s Day visit. He lived 79 years filled with learning. Kay was born to Frank and Thora Lambert on January 15, 1934 in Kamas Utah, where he lived many happy years playing, exploring, discovering and creating. He attended South Summit and Granite High Schools and graduated from Weber State University in Computer Science after attending Utah Valley Community College and Brigham Young University. Kay loved to learn and believed he could accomplish any task. If he didn’t have prior knowledge of how to complete a job, he researched the topic and often discovered shortcuts and more effective solutions than were currently available. His mind was intrigued by the world around him, and he applied himself in electronics, computers, programming, carpentry, cement work, collecting, sound systems, rockets, astronomy, robotics, automotive repair, photography, health, nutrition, self-improvement, gardening, and gospel truths. From a young age, Kay was eager to create. Starting at age 12, he worked at the local movie theater. In his early teen years, he remodeled his family’s kitchen, rewired the lights at the ballpark, and had a photography business. At age 18, he worked as an appliance repairman. While a student at BYU, he was the chief engineer for KBYU. He also operated the sound for an outdoor play, “Sand in Their Shoes.” Despite the ups and downs that Kay endured with his health, due to a leg injury when he was 17, he applied his genius as a research engineer. He owned and partnered in several businesses including Lambert Audio Electronics, and Electronic Chassis and Industry West, where he designed and built amplifiers, speakers, and microphones, and did sheet metal work. He designed automation in the Oakland Temple. His long-lasting pride was in the development of the pull-out microphone system for sacrament meetings still used in various chapels. He also operated the Alhambra theatre, located in Pleasant Grove Utah. Kay worked eight years for Lockheed where he did research with atomic testing to measure the effects of radiation on the earth’s magnetic field. Two of those years were spent in Kauai HI, a highlight for him and his family. Kay was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Young Men’s President, Finance Clerk, cub master, scout leader, Sunday School President, home teacher, and his favorite calling as nursery leader. Kay’s genius and creative talent was manifested in his great craftsmanship within various fields, yet because he was quiet and often kept to himself and engrossed in projects, so many did not fully know him. Yet, his quietness did not diminish his great spirit, which is serene, calm, patient through suffering, kind, strong, protective, loving, generous, honest, and faithful to the end. Kay married and was sealed for all eternity to his sweetheart, Lou Ann Rigby, in the Manti Temple on March 31, 1955, they enjoyed 58 years together. They lived in various locations, including: Salt Lake City, Layton, Provo, St. George, Mountain View CA, Kauai HI,Newark CA, and spent the last ­­44 years in Orem, Utah. Kay and Lou Ann are parents of 15 children (all single births, no twins): Aurelia (Ben) Frei, Richard (Yvonne), Karen (Bruce) Decker, Tish (Dave) Poulson, Nani (Greg) Bertola, Stephen (Diane), Diane (Dave) Russon, Mark (Kristin), Michael (Janelle), Robert (Jennifer), Paul (Kerrie), Melanie (Ryan) Larsson, Spencer (Cheryl), Michelle (Stephen) Rust, Rebecca (John) Aland. They also enjoy and love their 66 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Kay is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Glen. He is survived by his brothers, Rogers and Eugene, and sister, Aurelia. Viewings will be held at the Hillcrest LDS Chapel, 1035 South 800 East in Orem, Utah, on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Monday, May 20, 2013 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (prior to the funeral service). Funeral services will be held Monday, May 20, 2013 at 12:00 noon located at the Hillcrest LDS Chapel, 1035 South 800 East in Orem Utah. Interment will follow at the Orem City Cemetery, Orem, Utah. Special thanks to Aurelia Frei for daily care and nurturing, and to Encompass Hospice.