We announce with profound sadness the passing of Franklin Roosevelt Lamberth on November 19, 2023. Born on August 15, 1958, in Monterey, California, and raised in San Diego, California, Franklin’s life was a journey of commitment, hard work, and a vibrant sense of humor that touched everyone around him.
Franklin’s career with the City of San Diego as a Sanitation Driver spanned over two decades. He also served on the Board of Directors/Administrators for the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System as a trustee for AFSCME Local 127. He was a staunch advocate for his colleagues, educating and fighting for fair compensation and benefits. An alumnus of Stanford Law School, Franklin pursued Executive Education, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.
Franklin’s life was not just about hard work; he had a unique flair for comedy. His natural talent for humor shone through in his personal life and on stage, where he performed as a comedian in SoCal. His ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him was a bright light in the lives of many.
Dedicated to providing for his family, Franklin worked additional jobs throughout his life: fighting wildfires, owning a KFC at nineteen, bartending at Tina’s, and moonlighting at FedEx. He took immense pride in his home, especially the pool he designed, creating a haven of happiness for his family. In retirement, Franklin found joy in motorcycle riding, becoming an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and joining a bike club. He enjoyed cooking, eating, golfing, painting, fishing, playing billiards, and swimming. He loved to learn new things and was always seeking knowledge.
Above all else, the family was most important to Franklin and included many whom he grew up and worked with. He was the primary caregiver for his mother, Kumiko, taking her to all her medical appointments and meticulously researching medical treatments to the point of knowing more than the doctors. He loved to laugh, and you could hear him coming from blocks away. He would make jokes about anything and anyone, and the more he loved you, the bigger the jokes. He was relentless, but his heart was even bigger than his laughter, ready to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. Franklin Roosevelt Lamberth’s life was a beautiful tapestry of service, dedication, humor, and love.
He leaves behind a loving family: his wife Susan Lamberth, his daughters; Capree and Devalyn Lambrose, his son Franklin Lamberth III, his mother Kumiko Tsuruta, his brother Daniel Lamberth, sisters; Hiromi Swanson and Mayumi Mitchell-Gavin, and his adoring nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. Each family member will fondly remember his warmth, love, and laughter.
As we remember him, let us carry forward his legacy of laughter, commitment to family and community, and the courage to pursue one’s passions. Franklin, a beloved father, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, comedian, and friend, will be deeply missed, but his spirit and laughter will live on in our hearts forever.
