Michael "Mike" Laurence Lambert

Born in Andrews, SC, Mike was the youngest of 11 children, hence nicknamed “Caboose”. He was survived by his daughters, Kristin (Jerry) Baggott, April (Dave) Waltz, grandchildren, Jerrith Baggott, Lyndzey Baggott, Ava Scott Waltz, sister, Betty (Rev. John) Newton and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Rubin and Lila Lambert and nine siblings.

He was a 1963 graduate of Andrews High School and attended the College of Charleston and Emmanuel College. In 1970, he moved to Columbia, SC where he owned his own remodeling and repair business for some 25 years. In 1996, God led him to Midway Elementary School where he spent 14 years known as “Mr. Mike” surrounded by children and staff that he cared for very deeply. In 2010, he made the tough decision to retire, but only two months later, God's perfect timing led him to a position as the caretaker at the Columbia Sailing Club. There he was able to live a partially retired life while still remaining active and being surrounded by people. He later also worked part-time at the YMCA where he came to love the staff and members.

He was an independent, hard-working man who loved God and surrounding himself with people that had the same fun, positive outlook on life as he did. His true passion was kids! He taught the youth Sunday School for many years at Whaley Street United Methodist Church, where has was a member since 1977. His last years, he attended Radius and most recently found a home at Salem United Methodist. He was a former Shriner and lifetime Mason under the Scottish Rite.

Growing up, he loved to play baseball, basketball and golf. As an adult, he played fastpitch softball with his church family and recreation volleyball. He enjoyed cooking a pig on the pit, making homemade ice cream and having a good cheeseburger. After surviving a massive heart attack, God gave him the will-power to change his lifestyle which lead him to quit smoking, start eating healthier and exercising. He started running and has a massive collection of medals from the many races he completed! In 2019, he took off on a two-year journey traveling to all lower 48-states while sharing his second chance life-changing testimony with all the people he met along the way.

He never met a stranger. He never met a child he did not love. He was the man that would always go to the office to talk to someone in person and not on the phone. He was the man that made sure the church and school and gym were kept clean. He was the man that came in early to make a special breakfast for the staff or stayed late to make homemade ice cream for any celebration. He rarely complained. He always gave 110%. He always gave glory to God!

His daughters would like to send a special thank you to his amazing medical team that has helped to take care of him the past several years - Lexington Family Practice at Lake Murray, CVS Pharmacy and all the good people at Lexington Medical Center – Cardiology, Pulmonary, Physical Therapy, Oncology and especially the CCU Unit that took great care of him during his last days.

Thank you to his abundance of friends that has impacted his life! He truly loved each and every one of you! His family is comforted knowing that he lived a full life surrounded by love and friendship and is now running his final race in the streets of gold!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation North Carolina-Charlotte Chapter in honor of his grand-daughter, Ava Scott Waltz. https://www.cff.org/donate

A Celebration of Life Cookout will be held at a later time to honor his memory.