January 31, 1952 — January 3, 2026
James Owen Lambert, 73, of Ashland, KY, left this earthly world peacefully on January 3, 2026, with his wife and daughter by his side.
He was born on January 31, 1952, to the late Claude Lambert Jr. and Helen Sperry Lambert. After struggling through four years of freshman English, he graduated from Louisa High School in 1970. Though school was admittedly not his calling, it gave him something far greater than education—the love of his life. After asking three times, Jeannie Ratcliff Lambert finally agreed to become his wife, and they built a marriage and life that lasted 53 years together. Jim was a simple man of honesty, loyalty, and dependability, but he also had a mischievous side. He was often heard singing an original tune about what he was doing or whoever he was with. He liked to instigate and tease and enjoyed playing harmless jokes on his friends and family. Above all, he was selfless. He was one of the hardest workers and providers and asked for nothing in return. For more than 20 years, he simultaneously worked two full-time jobs, a testament to his dedication and work ethic. He was a proud member of IBEW Local #317 and the Millwrights’ Local Union #1076. After earning his electrician’s certification, he began his career with AK Steel (formerly Armco), where he devoted 46 years of his life before retiring in 2017. During that same tenure, he was also employed by Steel of West Virginia for 26½ years, retiring in 2020.
Although Jim took great pride in his work, his deepest joy came from being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Extremely proud doesn’t begin to describe how he felt about being called “Papaw”, “Peep”, or “Jim,” and he would talk about his grandchildren to anyone that would listen. Even while working two full-time jobs, he somehow never missed the most important events or simplest moments. His family knew that if it mattered to them, nothing would keep him away. A man of few words (unless you made him angry), he expressed his pride with a simple “Love you” or “You done good,” and coming from him, those words were always more than enough. In his retirement years, Jim could often be found in his favorite outfit—a denim shirt and jeans—tinkering in his garage, picking at his banjo or guitar, or catching a well-earned nap in his recliner, with his dog Lucy never far away. When the weather was nice, he was outside planting, gardening, swinging his machete at the weeds, and faithfully feeding the deer, birds, and other wildlife that frequented his yard. One of his greatest pleasures was taking his entire family to the beach, where he loved to fish and swim but never missed an opportunity to nap under the umbrella with his family nearby.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Jeannie Ratcliff Lambert; his daughter, Kimberly Lambert Bisig (Todd); his grandchildren, Avery Bisig-Hinnen (Spencer), Grant Bisig, Stella Bisig, and Harper Bisig; his great-grandchildren, Roman and Hayes; sister Emerita Lambert; and aunt Johnda Blankenship. He was preceded in death by his brother Claude Lambert, III.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of being loved by him. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, January 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the Young Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Denny Ratcliff officiating. Burial will follow in the Hammond Cemetery.
Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, January 7, 2025 from 12:00 PM until time of service in the Young Funeral Home Chapel.
Young Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Mr. Lambert and his family.
