I saw an old car the other day and found myself looking to see if it was Mark- then so sadly  it hit that it couldn't be him. He is still thought of often as is Lesley. ❤️

Time passes, memory remains and Mark stays with me whenever I'm working on my Packard.
He knew I had obtained a 1937 115C Convertible Coupe and was always there when questions needed answers.
We finished it just in time this year for our daughter's fall wedding and I swear I saw Mark standing by the garage door when I pulled it out for the ceremony.
I sure hope he approved of the effort and it passed his judgement as it was a hit.
Miss you all the time Mark and damn, that smile too.

Such a wonderful man. He’s still with us everyday. Love you, Leslie !!!

It’s hard to believe Mark is no longer with us. I saw a man a couple of weeks ago that looked just like Mark and I smiled and cried at the same time. We miss you Mark and love you Lesley. 

Beth Nagy

Mark - almost two years since you passed away.  I hope friends and family can gather in your honor. You are truly, deeply missed.

I saw the Charlotte fire hall had sold, and my first thought was of Mark. I did not know of his passing, and am so sorry to hear of it, even though I see now it was over a hear and a half ago. If Mark's family receives these condolences, I would like to share that I knew Mark through a car, of course! I bought a '66 Mustang, and was directed to him by a friend. 
Mark was always kind. When I first took him the car, in need of a lot of work, he discovered a tiny nest of newborn mice in one of the filters in the engine. (Their parents had been eating everything they could get their little teeth on!) 
Instead of killing the babies, he confessed to me that he relocated them in the woods...which made me laugh and made him even more dear to me! I even gave him a ceramic mouse to commemorate the occasion. 
After I sold the car, I didn't see Mark, as my "job" took me all over the world and I wasn't in Nashville very often. 
I know that he married the love of his life and that makes me happy! Mark told me once that he had left the corporate world to work on cars, because that's what he loved.  We are lucky if we get to do what we love for a living.  A life well lived.  Gone too soon. I just wanted the family to know that Mark made an impression on everyone he met, even those of us who lost touch. 
Best,
Trisha

Truly missed. All your friends are heartbroken on many levels. God rest your soul. 

I didn't know Mark well. I met him during the decade I sponsored the Pebble Beach Concours beginning in 2003 as he became a close friend of a friend of ours who lives in Carmel and attended the weeklong events where she met Mark. We became his guests for the Gooding Auction which was a real treat. Every interaction I had with him during Car Week impressed me with his knowledge of minute automobile details, and beyond that just what a kind, gracious, and caring gentleman he was. 

A genuine human and a genuine friend.
He always had time to discuss an issue or help with a wrench in hand.
I don't know if there was a finer human being that went out of their way to make things good for all.
"When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." --African Proverb

Mark Lambert - a true gentleman.  You called me every year on my October birthday, reciprocating, I anticipate hearing your voice tomorrow. Profoundly sad that you are gone. I will miss hearing your updates, car news, IU friends scoop and sharing in family news. Forever in my heart.

I'm not sure where to start. I just learned of Mark's passing today. I met Mark in 2007 when my wife and I lived in Nashville. A church friend knew that I liked cars, and he said he knew a guy (Mark) that I should meet. I ended up helping Mark at his shop on the weekends, enthralled in the knowledge he possessed and tried to soak it in as much I could. In conversations about my love of classic cars and that I wasn't all that happy in my full-time job at that point, he recommended McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas (the only school in the country with a four-year degree in automotive restoration). Fast forward 15 years from that point and I just ended my 8th year teaching, and 5th as department chair of the restoration faculty. So, I literally don't know where I'd be if it weren't for Mark. Each time we crossed paths it was like we had just seen each other the weekend before.  There is the old saying that "I wish I was a good a person as my dog thinks I am." Well, I have always thought that "I wish I was a good a person as Mark thinks I am." He believed in me and encouraged me to follow what I loved.  He will live on forever in my mind and I will always be grateful for his positive impact in my life.

I just learned of Mark's passing today and it was such a shock to hear.  I met Mark only 5 years ago at the Concours d'Elegance as one of the newest judges.  I felt like Mark took me under his wing from the first day and it was always a highlight of each show to get to see Mark and catch up on the past year.  He wasn't able to make it to last year's show as he was sick but he called me anyways and we talked about life and cars.  I was fortunate to get to meet him and Leslie in Nashville a couple times and see his shop and collection.  He Loved that Cord!  He will be so dearly missed this year at the car show and I was truly looking forward catching up with him this year at Pebble Beach but it will not be the same without him there, learning from his encyclopedic knowledge of vintage cars.  Rest in Peace Mark

I was introduced to Mark and Leslie when I first moved to Nashville
while I was property shopping. They were very welcoming and supportive. We all had shared enthusiastic interests in many subjects. Their help and friendship was extraordinary.  My condolences to all who had the pleasure to know and appreciate Mark.

Mark Lambert. This is a tough one. Our friendship started in 1987 after I bought a 1968 MGB GT that needed to be towed home as it had been sitting for a very long time. I was clueless on how or where to begin resurrecting this car. A friend said that I needed to know Mark and gave me his number.

Mark answered the phone. At the time he was working out of his house on Utah in the basement.  When I  told him about the car he said that he was booked up for at least three months and didn’t sound all that excited about even working on it. Then he asked why I chose to buy it and I mentioned a few things on the car that were rare such as a Tudor Webasto canvas sunroof and an electronic overdrive. Mark showed up within 30 minutes with a toolbox and a battery and we met for the first time.

When he saw the car his eyes sparkled and he smiled that amazing smile. He somehow managed to get the car to spark and start and he got so excited that he pulled my carburetors out and gave me his address. Needless to say, that car quickly ran extremely well.

Mark and I became very close in the 80s. There was very much quality time. One day he asked me to check out an old fire hall on Charlotte Ave that he was wanting to bid on.  The place was perfect for him! He put in a lowball bid and we waited to hear. We were so excited to learn that he got it. It was a complete mess so I helped him get parts of it livable. Shortly afterwards I moved to Colorado and he always had a space for me to crash when I would come through Nashville. 

I was in Nashville last week and drove by the fire hall. I made a mental note to give Mark a call. His numbers are forever in my brain along with my family. Today I got a text that we lost him. Devastated. I’m late to the game, I know, but I feel all of you who love Mark and I send you love. He was a gem. We are blessed to know his spirit. Godspeed my friend. And thank you for all that you shared.









i only met mark a few times.  
i moved from ohio to the sylvan park area 8 years ago when i was 18. charlotte avenue has been the way i've connected to this city. i was always curious about that old fire house and the beautiful cars i saw around and inside it. one day, mark was pulling a jaguar out of the shop and i made an effort to stop by and introduce myself. he was so warm to me even though i was a stranger. from then on, i always tried to smile and wave when i saw him around the area. i wanted to get to know him better.

when i saw him most recently at a car show at cheekwood, he remembered me. i was honored. moreover, i felt his kindness coming through a genuine smile and handshake. i often think about him in the beautiful austin-healey he drove out of that show. 

i'm so sad to hear of his passing, and want to express my deepest sympathies to those who knew and loved him well. may he rest in peace. 

What a wonderful man.   My first memory of Mark is when 30 plus years ago he was knocking on my door and wondering who at the house owned the green 1948 Chrysler Windsor.   He had a gray one.  That was the beginning of our friendship and his care of my Packard and two Chryslers.   Spent time with him at many antique car events, drives, and at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.   I once tried to do a small engine job on my own and he came and rescued me and crawled under and finished what I had started.  Always ready to help.   Was a pioneer on DIY network also.   He was born to be a star with a smile that would melt an iceberg! 

I met Mark through a mutual friend when I was looking for somebody to work on my GTO.  He took that car under his wing and restored it to a thing of beauty.  I don't get in that car and not think of him almost every time and always looked to see if he was in his garage every time I pass by.  Godspeed Mark and my deepest sympathies to his family.  

Dear Leslie,
  It is with a heavy heart that I heard about Mark's death.  My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  Mark lit up a room with his   genuine smile and warm personality.  He will be missed beyond words.  
So many fond memories  with the two of you on our Packard tours.  The many car events and his expertise in judging  at different shows and his taking pride in restoring cars. 
  May you find comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Love,
  Diane Hussey
  
 
 
 


Mark was a very special friend to me and my family for almost 40 years.  My heart is breaking at the news of his death.   My deepest sympathy to his family and the legions who loved him.  

I am so sorry to hear this. I have known Mark for many years. I bought cars from him. I worked for him painting and roofing. I attended his class on auto maintenance. He helped me take care of my cars. I often stopped in while passing his shop on Charlotte to visit. I don't what else to say. He is alive to me though I haven't seen him for 5 years or so, since we moved away. He was my friend. For those closer to him, I can only offer my love and hope for the future. He is unique and leaves a gap in the world that won't be replaced. 
All my love,
--- Hugh

Mark was a long time friend and one of my judging partners at the Pebble Beach Concours for many years.  He was always warm and considerate  in everyway.  His sense of humor was electrifying.  My fondest and most vivid memory of him is when my wife Koko and I visited he and Leslie in Nashville. We played in his shop for week and truly had a great time.  Mark was a  self made man who was always there for me when I needed a friend. He was a joy. I will miss him deeply. His memory will live on forever through his YouTube video's  "Classic Car Restoration"  God Bless & RIP

I have been blessed to call Mark my friend for about 30 years.

His friendship, support, passion  and kind word will be missed by all who knew him.
We spent a lot of time in the Austin Healey world.
I will miss our firehall chats and the way that time never got in the way of our friendship.
Robbie Cook


Mark was a kind soul that was always willing to help, I was lucky to call Mark a neighbor for almost fifteen years. Sylvan Park won’t forget.

Cheers Mark! 

He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He will be missed in a world that needs more like him. 

Mark you are the sweetest person I have meet and you have a smile that will light up a room... You will truly be missed.

Mark, was always available with automobile advice on my 60s Pontiac and maybe a car story or Two of some of his own old experiences. A super guy that will be very much missed by me and all of us car guys across Nashville & the USA. He was a great guest 
/speaker for our local Mercedes club.
Please have a service so Mark can be truly honored. He was truly a Nashville Jewel!!!!! And will be truly missed! I saw him recently as the speaker/tour guide of the Cheekwood Auto exhibit!
Don Fuson



Hard to express my sorrow with the loss of a dear friend for over 47 years.   Since we first met in fall of 1975 and he was a free spirit filled with fun.    We did so many things together:    From the grind of college swim practice , traveling all over the world - to working on cars , there was never a dull moment.  We could be absent for many many months - and just pick up where we left off.  He was part of my family and my kids lives ………….we have such great memories 

God Bless your soul ……..

Paul Sigfusson
IU teammate  

Mark was such an incredible and unique person.  He knew how to turn a phrase and say or write just the right  thing when needed. He was a fixture at his shop on Charlotte Avenue, and it seemed like he knew everyone in Sylvan Park, and they knew him. He greeted everyone  with a 
wry smile. 

He loved local places, like Wendell’s or McCabe Pub, and he thoroughly enjoyed local politics. He was well versed in Robert’s rules, which was always  fun to watch. He had joy playing the game. I was lucky to have worked with him on a few campaigns that built a friendship that I treasured, with both he and his wife, Leslie.

 He had a strong  work ethic, along with his wonderful old time style, whether in demeanor, or a  love of vintage cars,  old houses or cool hats. I felt sometimes that he belonged to another era.  I was proud to be his friend. 
 Cheers to you, Mark.
May you rest in peace .

Oh my goodness. I just learned of Mark's passing today. I don't think there's anything I can say that can add to the wonderful character that everyone has already posted here. Perhaps just another endorsement  of how great, how generous,  and how genuine he was.
I miss you already, my friend.

Leslie, 

Shelly and I are heartbroken and we love you so much. 

Beth Nagy

Mark and Leslie were our neighbors for over 20 years. Mark was ALWAYS willing to help out. If we couldn't get a jar open Mark was our go to guy to help us out. Mark was such an incredible man of integrity. He made a commitment to another neighbor when he bought her property that he not tear down her family home while she was alive and he kept his word. To me that was so impressive of Mark and Leslie. The world has lost a good one.

Mark was a wonderful guy, always upbeat, generous with his time, and profoundly knowledgeable.

I called him “The Packard Whisperer.” He  intuitively knew what was wrong with any car and,  of course, he knew how to fix it. 

He was an old soul, with his appreciation for historic structures and vehicles, and he reflected an earlier time, almost as though he was somewhere in the 1940s or 1950s, with those old values.

Riding with him, whether in an old Packard, or his well-preserved Lexus, was a treat. He could tell you what the car was thinking, as if it were alive – and to Mark, it was… 

His affection for Tom Sparks was inspiring. Mark recognized in Tom the same intuitive mechanical genius and innate feel for machinery he himself possessed. He was friends with Tom and Laura, and he was the perfect caretaker for Laura’s old ’38 Ford coupe – the car they’d dated in, and kept all their lives.  “That’s Tommy’s car,” he’d say, “and I’m just taking care of it, I’m not changing anything.”

Mark was a great help to me when we did our Art Deco and Italian car  installations at the Frist, and when I couldn’t be there, he hosted ‘hoods up’ nights, sharing with Frist Museum visitors the expertise he had learned over the years. 

The firehouse was soooo Mark ---I can’t imagine a more perfect place for a restoration shop – despite the single lane – and it was his cherished workplace until he acquired the old garage --  that he really loved. Again, he wouldn’t change anything. He even kept the faded pinups on the wall because they were part of the building’s tradition – and he was into tradition.

Like so many friends, I suspect, I wish Mark had reached out. And I wish I’d called more often. 

Rest easy Mark. We won't forget you.


Our family has known Mark for over 40 years. I had not seen him in years and was happy to catch up in person five years ago. He was just the same as I remembered - smiling and gracious. Despite time and distance, we have always considered Mark an extended member of our family, and he holds a special place in our hearts.  This photo  of Mark was taken in the 80's with his (and our) dear friend Mark M. Mark's hair color might have changed, but his style never did! Our deepest condolences to his wife Leslie, his family, and his wide circle of friends for this tremendous loss.

My husband Ray, and I got to know Mark originally because of the Pebble Beach Concours where he judged. After that, we enjoyed Mark and Leslie’s company in Nashville.
My brother Bill loved Mark, and had the greatest respect for him and his automotive knowledge. Mark would always drop whatever he was working  on to lend a hand if needed. He was an absolutely wonderful person.
Here is Mark with my brother Bill at Pebble Beach.  As usual, Mark looked like a natural born judge there.

Gentleman, Friend, Devoted Family Man.  We all wish we had more time with Mark, so best to reflect on the time we had.  The button down shirt, the sunglasses, the tweed jacket, always with the handshake and the smile.  Leslie, the Firehall,  whatever he was working on, and whoever he was with  all shared his love and devotion.  Rest in Peace, my cherished friend.

Love, The Flackmaster and The Flackmistress.

I've known Mark for over 10 years. He helped get me started in collecting cars and always made himself available when I needed advise.  He taught me cars were built to be enjoyed.  He sold me my first old car, a 48 Dodge. When I was going to make arrangements to take it home on a trailer, he said just drive it. 100 miles later I pulled into my driveway. When he said it's road worth, you knew it was. Miss him dearly. 

I knew Mark for over 30 years.  When I was a teenager I couldn’t wait to see what he was driving when he came over to see my dad. He was always so gracious about answering our car questions and helping us in the right direction. When I choose IU for college he would take me out for breakfast when he was in town.  Later in life he enjoyed seeing how my brother and I followed in his footsteps as we built car collections. Hope to see you again on the other side Mark!

I knew Mark for over 30 years. When I was a teenager I couldn’t wait to  see what he was driving when he came to see my dad. He was the first car person we really knew and was always so helpful as we grew into car guys ourselves. When I went away to college at his alma matter he would take me to breakfast when I was in town. As an adult I never drove by his fire station without looking to see if he was there. Glad I got a good hang in with him in the last year and sad it was the last one. Thanks for everything Mark- I’ll look for you at car shows on the other side. 

Not a person known that did not respect and appreciate Marks million dollar smile,his outstretched hand to help ,his respect of his fellow man,his kind and generous spirit
Rip Mark
Jeff Frazier 

Mark has been great friend for over twenty-eight years. We worked together on several restoration projects, and it is hard to comprehend that we will never be doing it again. My sons grew up knowing Mark and will never forget his kindness and gifts of candy and hot wheels. This world just lost something rare and hard to find, a true gentleman. RIP Mark

So sorry to hear about the loss of my dear fiend will miss him and will always remember him as a very good person, always ready to help and advise. R.I.P. Mark

Mark was always a breath of fresh air when he came to shop for parts and supplies. He was unfailingly kind, polite, jovial, and respectful.  We loved it when he drove one of his projects over so we could see these great old cars he was restoring.  He was such a gentleman and great human being and will be missed. 

My condolences to the family. Mark is fondly remembered, by myself and all his University swim team colleagues. He will be missed. He was a great guy, always kind and willing to help. He was a class act, just like the cars he loved. Boy o boy did he love and know his cars.

Canada
IU1980

Mark was such a wonderful person. His generosity and good humor were always a part of his personality. We shared his love of everything automotive and especially his love of the Packard automobile. The last time we met he was driving one of his prized cars to have lunch at a restaurant in Sylvan Park. Thank you Mark for the memories and your kindness.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mark Charles Lambert

4 août 1957 – 29 janvier 2022

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home

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