| Overall UK Wins: 26 | Overall UK Losses: 10 | Win % 72.2 |
Date of Birth: February 27, 1923
Date of Death: January 26, 1985
Hometown: Holcut, MS
Alma Mater: Mississippi [1946]
For a generalized listing of officials, please consult this page.
Obituary - Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger (January 28, 1985)
State Tax Chief Dies of 'Lou Gehrig's Disease
by Robert Ourlian
Butch Lambert Sr., Mississippi's tax chief and a respected political and sports figure in the state, died Saturday from "Lou Gehrig's disease," an incurable illness he learned of only two months ago. Lambert was 61.
Known as a peacemaker among politicians and a coach to all, Lambert died from amytrophic lateral sclerosis about 11 p.m. Saturday. He had been at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital since Jan. 19 because of his deteriorating condition, a family spokesman said.
Doctors estimated he had suffered from the disease for six to eight months, the spokesman said.
Funeral services will be Wednesday in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson. The body will lie in state on the second floor of the state Capitol from 5 to 9 p.m. today.
Pallbearers at the funeral Wednesday will be representatives from Little League baseball teams in the Fulton area that Lambert had coached in the past.
Lambert's family has set up The Butch Lambert Memorial for ALS care of Butch Lambert Jr., P.O. Box 5087, Jackson, Miss. 39216.
Gov. Bill Allain, calling Lambert "a vital part of Mississippi life" and "a leader among leaders," has ordered flags flown at half-staff until the funeral Wednesday in Tupelo.
"He exemplified the best kind of public servant - one who believed in love of fellow man, dedication to the job and fairness to all," said Allain.
After learning of the terminal illness Dec. 3, Lambert said in an interview with The Clarion-Ledger that he came to grips with it, because as he put it, "How many people get advance notice?
"I was put here to work with people," he said in the interview. "I feel like I've always known my role. I feel comfortable about my situation."
Lambert served in the House of Representatives from 1960 until 1964 and again from 1968 until 1980, when he was appointed Tax Commission chairman and commissioner of revenue by then Gov. William Winter.
Lambert also was known for his 30 years of officiating at Southeastern Conference football and basketball games and was regarded as the SEC's top referee by the time he retired in 1981. His lively sports career also provided him colorful grist for his popular after-dinner speeches.
The most widely known officiating episode was at the 1978 Gator Bowl, when Lambert flagged former Ohio State University Coach Woody Hayes for punching a Clemson player who had intercepted an Ohio State pass.
SEC Commissioner Boyd McWhorter said Sunday of Lambert: "My experiences with him were something I'll always cherish."
Although SEC rules required Lambert's retirement in 1981 when he reached the age of 57, McWhorter said Lambert's contributions to the conference never stopped. "He still helped us by observing officiating," he said. "For the 13 years I've been commissioner, his contributions have been tremendous every year, they've never ceased and his interest in the conference has never ceased."
Those who served in the Legislature with Lambert saw parallels between his sports career and his political efforts.
"He was essentially a coach," said former Rep. John Hampton Stennis of Jackson, who served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee when Lambert chaired the committee. "He knew how to coach other people to get the best out of them."
Lambert always was a favorite of lawmakers, even after leaving the House in 1980 to go to the state Tax Commission. They showed their admiration Jan. 14 by naming the playing field at Mississippi Memorial Stadium in his honor.
"He was someone you respected regardless of the position he took on an issue," said Rep. Ed Perry of Oxford. "He was the one who, regardless of what part of the state you came from or what your background was, made new legislators feel good - you always had a friend in Butch. He was not only a friend, but a father figure."
Legislative veterans such as House Speaker Buddie Newman were impressed by Lambert's strength and dedication. "You could lay it out to Butch Lambert, and he understood," said Newman. "Butch was one in a life-time - no, several lifetimes," said Newman.
Lt. Gov. Brad Dye was in 1960's crop of freshmen legislators along with Lambert. Dye often relies on jokes and anecdotes in his speeches, but said he always admired the lessons Lambert wove into his talks.
"Among other fond memories people are going to have of Butch - and they're going to have a lot - are those of the fine stories he told," Dye said.
"I wish I was a good as he was."
