Parsons Kiwanis Club /J. Kenton Lambert Fund
TYPE OF FUND: Agency Endowed DATE ESTABLISHED: 1992
PURPOSE: To honor charter member J. Kenton Lambert by providing funding for the club’s community projects; in particular, those having to do with youth.
DISTRIBUTION: Upon request by the Parsons Kiwanis Club and upon the recommendation by the Grants Committee and approval by the full Board of Directors of TCF.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: Secured by club members.
BACKGROUND: J. Kenton Lambert (August 23, 1910 – March 4, 1995) a lifelong resident of Parsons, served as state Kiwanis governor and all offices leading to that position, was also a West Virginia Senator for two terms and was state director of Farmers Home Administration for seven years. He and his younger brother, Lorren K. Lambert, were owners of Lambert Chevy-Olds for more than 40 years, and owners of Lambert Department Store.
J. Kenton and Laura Vere Orr Lambert were the parents of four children, J.K. Lambert, Jr., Anthony Lambert, Amanda Lambert Marshall and Rex Kevin Lambert. They had no grandchildren. He was a graduate of Parsons High School and West Virginia University and was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II. He was also a coach and teacher at Parsons High School.
An active member of Parsons Presbyterian Church and of Greenbrier Presbytery, Mr. Lambert was a member of Masonic Pythagoras Lodge 128 AF and AM; member of the Ohio – West Virginia YMCA board of directors and initiated the Free Enterprise Camp at YMCA Camp Horseshoe; and one of three persons who headed the 1989 Capitol Campaign to raise more than $165,000 in order to move the Ohio – West Virginia YMCA headquarters to Tucker County.
Mr. Lambert was also an active member of the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce. In 1982 he was awarded its highest honor, Tuckineer (Tucker/Mountaineer), a word that was coined by Mr. Lambert. Other honors included Parsons High School Alumni Hall of Fame; State Conservationist of the Year, by the Wildlife League in l974; and enshrined in the Agricultural/Forestry Hall of Fame at Jackson’s Mill. He was president of the state council, Mountaineers for Rural Progress; area vice president of WV Chamber of Commerce; president of Seneca Trails Highway Association and of Parsons Community Development Association. He was a commander and chairman of the Americanism State Committee of American Legion and chairman of Development Commission of Davis & Elkins College, Elkins; area district representative, Boy Scouts; and was affiliated with WV Water Resources Board; Ruritan National; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and the Gideon Society.