Wallace Ray Lambert, 85 of Sterling passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2017 in Greeley, Colorado. A private family memorial was held.
Ray was born July 8, 1931 in Haxtun, Colorado to Wallace S. and Iris (Miles) Lambert. He lived in Fleming with his grandmother Grace Miles until age twelve and then moved to his uncle's ranch in the west plains area. Wallace married Iris Hagen on September 7, 1957 in Cumberland, Wisconsin. They lived in both South Dakota and New Mexico and then returned to Sterling.

Ray purchased the Conoco station at 3rd St. and Broadway and along with his father-in-law Arnold Hagen and mother in-law's help; they spent the next 7 weeks converting the old station into a restaurant. On Feb. 17, 1974, the Baja Taco Restaurant was born and Ray operated it until the restaurant was sold in July 1998.
He served on the Arthritis Board and the Cancer Society Board. He conducted many "Quit Smoking" clinics throughout the area and held several fund raisers for the Cancer Society.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Iris; daughters, Sheryl Lopez and husband John of Sterling, Lisa Doggett and husband Donnie of Lakewood, CO; 6 grandchildren, Kyle, Vanessa, Michael and wife Kristeen, Stephanie, Victoria and Samantha; great grandson Matthew Lopez; brother, Jerry Lambert of Erie, CO; step-sister, Dorothy Murphy and husband Bill of Aurora, CO; nephews, Mark, Stephen and Jody; niece Kim Westerman of Brighton, CO.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Mildred and brother Lydell Lambert.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.