John D. Lambert Jr.

Former New Orleans City Councilman, John D. Lambert, Jr. passed away peacefully on July 7, 2019, predeceased by parents John and Dehlia and sister, Erin Harty. Survived by his loving wife Nora Nolan Lambert, brother Henry Lambert (Carey Bond), children John III (Jeanne), Nolan (Mary), Matthew, and Alex (Heather) and nine grandkids: Taylor, Meredith, Christian, Nolan, Jr., Collin, Eleanor, Jack, Henry, and Angelina.

John was honored to have been educated by the Christian Brothers at St. Paul’s College, in Covington, La., where he graduated as the salutatorian in 1949. During his sophomore year at Loyola, the Korean War broke out. The combination of Loyola instituting a trimester schedule and him having earned enough quality points allowed him to enter law school immediately, where he earned his law degree in 1953 at the age of 21 (3 yrs, 9 mos. after starting college). Having orders to report for active duty in June, he petitioned the La. Supreme Court for direct admission to practice since he had to report for duty before he could sit for the bar exam. After his application was granted, the deans of Loyola, Tulane, and LSU followed suit and requested the court to admit all of their graduates with active duty orders. As a result, all law graduates with military orders were exempt from the Bar Exam during the Korean War and have John D. Lambert, Jr. to thank for it!

Upon discharge from active duty with the Army, John joined the Army Reserves, performing reserve and active duty assignments in the 4152 USAR SCHOOL ultimately serving as Commandant and later with the 377th TAACOM Unit where he served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Army Accommodation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Service Medal. He retired in August 1983 at the rank of Colonel.

John was involved with many military and civic organizations serving as Chairman of the Mayor’s Military Affairs Committee, City Chairman of the March of Dimes City of New Orleans, and was appointed by the Secretary of Defense as the State Chairman of the National Committee for Employer’s Support of the Guard and Reserve. Despite his Army roots, John joined the Navy League of Greater New Orleans, ultimately serving as its President as well as President of the Association of United States Army.

John was councilman of the City of New Orleans from 1970-76, an Instructor of Business Law

at Loyola, and as a Commissioner of Orleans Parish Levee Board. He practiced law with his father, John D. Lambert, Sr., and with his sons Nolan and Alex at the law firm of Lambert & Lambert. He also served as Special Counsel for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.

He along with his wife Nora were Lectors and Eucharistic ministers at the St. Louis Cathedral and were active in the MIR Group and Mary’s Children. He was a member of the Family Life Bureau, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, the St. Thomas More Catholic Law Society, and Louisiana Lawyers for Life. In 1990 he joined the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher and later was awarded the St. Louis King of France Medal by the archdiocese.

In 1969, Christian Brothers School was opened and he was instrumental in forming the Christian Brothers Foundation to provide for the brothers who educated him as a young man, ultimately serving as foundation president and legal advisor. He had great dedication to the brothers whom he felt he owed a debt of gratitude.

In 1977, he purchased two historic 1850’s buildings built by James Gallier on St. Charles Ave that he restored to make his private law office. Little did he know that in moving his law practice, he would ultimately host and entertain tens of thousands of Mardi Gras revelers from his balcony and stands over the next 40 years, often serenading them with “New York, New York.”

All of John’s accomplishments, however, pale in comparison to his love and dedication to the love of his life, Nora Nolan, during their 60 year marriage. Their dedication to each other and to the Holy Spirit helped them raise 4 sons and 9 grandkids, of whom he was extremely proud. He had a full and satisfying 88 years on this earth and would add only to these words by saying, “Keep your smile” and “Illegitimi non carborundum est,” meaning, “Don’t let the bastards wear you down.”

The family wishes to extend the greatest appreciation to his caregivers over the last several years, especially Art Dohre, for whose friendship and companionship, we are eternally grateful. Visitation at the St. Louis Cathedral on Thursday, July 11, 2019 9:30 a.m., immediately followed by mass at 12:00.