Rodney Allen Lambert, son of Barry Allen Lambert and Candy Elaine Johnson, was born April 2, 1967, at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Perry, Iowa, and died Feb. 15, 2018, at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa.
Rodney was 50 years, 10 months and 13 days old.
A Celebration of Life service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. The Rev. Lynn Hanna of the First Presbyterian Church of Perry provided words of comfort.
Rodney’s honorary bearers were Patrick Lambert, Ryan Braunschweig, Tyler Low, William Hellyer, Dan Johnson and Scott Johnson. The music was “Hit the Ground Runnin'” by Keith Urban, “In the Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Military rites were performed by the U.S. Navy Military Honors.
Rodney grew up in Berkley and graduated from Ogden High School in 1986.
After graduation, while living in Berkley, Rodney entered the U.S. Navy. He saw duty in Iceland and Rota, Spain. He was a member of Squadron VP 23, Corrosion Center. Rodney painted and refurbished airplanes. He was honorably discharged in January 1991.
Rodney was very talented in every endeavor he pursued. It is safe to say he loved cars and made many other car lovers very happy with his restoration ability.
His love of and expertise with refurbishing vehicles led to the start of his business, Lambert’s Garage, located in Berkley, in 2012.
That year was good to him for he married his one true love, Crystal Hellyer. They enjoyed their lives together, blending their families together while living in Berkley near other relatives and friends.
Rodney was working for Iowa Signs at the time of his death.
He was a super fan of NASCAR, with the Earnharts his favorites.
Rodney enjoyed his annual trips in May to Talladega to spend time with his son Patrick and to attend the races. He was a member of the “Good Guys” Car Show Club.
Swap meets and racing games he always enjoyed, but spending time with his wife, Crystal, was the most important to him.
Rodney was preceded in death by his mother, Candy Johnson; grandparents, Raymond Lambert, June Lambert Trevarthen and Ed Trevarthen and Delores “Dee” Johnson.
Those who survive to cherish his memory are his wife, Crystal, of Berkley; son, Patrick of Pensacola, Fla.; daughters, Sarah (fiancé Michael Perryman) of Ames, Crissy of Des Moines and Natasha of Berkley; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jeremiah, Jaydison and Izabellah; father, Barry Allen (Kathy) Lambert of Woodward; sister, Stephanie Lambert of Berkley; grandfather, Robert Johnson of Berkley; nieces and nephews, Lacey McCaffery, Ryan Braunschweig, Courtney Lambert and Tyler Low; his parents-in-law, Sarah and William Hellyer of Perry; many aunts; uncles; cousins; other relatives; and friends.
