ARABI, La. — The community is invited to celebrate the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home in Chalmette. A receiving line will begin at 8:30 AM and end at 12:30 PM; the funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM.
Lambert was killed when an EF-3 tornado touched down in Arabi, Louisiana on March 22, 2022.
He is said to be a graduate of Chalmette High School where he played on the football team. WWL-TV's Meg Farris reports that Lambert worked at Stennis as an engineer and was fondly remembered by his former high school coach as "the kind of guy you would have wanted your daughter to date."
“He did track, he did football, a true student-athlete. No matter what he was doing he was confident” said Chalmette High School football coach Jason Tucker.
The coroner's office said that Lambert died of "multiple blunt force injuries.
“Connor in the hallways, always joking and laughing and yet the smartest kid very popular in school over the years”, said Chalmette High School Assistant Principal Carole Mundt.
The tornado, which ravaged several blocks in St. Bernard Parish, appeared to start its path on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish before it moved east across the Mississippi River into New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish.
Drone video showed the extent of the damage in Arabi, with many homes being essentially destroyed, some being severely damaged and a few being relatively untouched.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a "State of Emergency," for the tornado damage, which was primarily isolated to St. Bernard Parish in Arabi.
