Parsons Kiwanis Club / J. Kenton Lambert Fund
The Parsons Kiwanis Club / J. Kenton Lambert Fund supports community projects led by the Parsons Kiwanis Club, especially those focused on benefiting youth, in honor of charter member J. Kenton Lambert.
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 held all offices leading to that position. He was also a West Virginia Senator for two terms and served as state director of the 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, as well as 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 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; a member of the Ohio–West Virginia YMCA board of directors; and helped initiate the Free Enterprise Camp at YMCA Camp Horseshoe. He was one of three leaders of the 1989 capital campaign that raised more than $165,000 to move the Ohio–West Virginia YMCA headquarters to Tucker County.
Mr. Lambert was also deeply involved with the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce. In 1982, he was awarded its highest honor, Tuckineer (a word he coined). Other honors included induction into the Parsons High School Alumni Hall of Fame, State Conservationist of the Year by the Wildlife League in 1974, and enshrinement in the Agricultural/Forestry Hall of Fame at Jackson’s Mill.
He served as president of the state council Mountaineers for Rural Progress, area vice president of the WV Chamber of Commerce, president of the Seneca Trails Highway Association and the Parsons Community Development Association. He was also a commander and chairman of the Americanism State Committee of the American Legion, chairman of the Development Commission of Davis & Elkins College, and area district representative for the Boy Scouts. His affiliations extended to the WV Water Resources Board, Ruritan National, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Gideon Society.
