Page 9 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

J.T. was gracious, humble, kind and shareholder in American State Bank. and South Plains College. The
loyal. He was a smart and shrewd He received a multitude of awards for Foundation has also provided grants
businessman with a knack for making his accomplishments and service to for the building of the Dream Center,
wise decisions. Despite his successes, Lubbock. the Community Health Center, Meals
he never sought the spotlight. on Wheels and a new Boys and Girls
Both J.T. and Margaret believed in Club in West Lubbock. Many other
Besides their successful business encouraging leadership experiences projects have also been funded and
accomplishments, Margaret and J.T. for young women. Margaret created supported by the Foundation.
worked tirelessly supporting the “Young Ideas”, a juniors department
Lubbock community. They were in her store to assist girls transitioning As a former public school teacher,
the ultimate power couple because from high school to college. They Margaret had a deep commitment
of their gracious, generous and held fashion shows over the years to education. In 2009, the Trustees
influential work in making Lubbock to raise money to support many of the Lubbock Independent School
a better place. Through their actions, Lubbock non-profit organizations and District voted unanimously to rename
they personified the Lubbock to provide scholarships for young the Young Women Leaders School
Chamber of Commerce slogan of women. to honor Margaret Talkington for
the 1960’s, “Lucky Me, I Live in her commitment to leadership, her
Lubbock”. During their lifetime, In 1997, prior to J.T.’s death in 2005, support of women, and her quiet,
they were mostly anonymous in their J.T. and Margaret behind-the-scenes
charitable giving. founded the J.T. financial support
and Margaret of many efforts to
Margaret was a member of the Talkington enhance the lives of
First United Methodist Church, Charitable children.
The Women’s Club of Lubbock, the Foundation,
Texas Tech University Foundation based in Lubbock. One of the joys of
Board, Board of Directors of Lubbock The purpose of my life has been the
National Bank, and the Women’s the Foundation opportunity to have
Division of the Lubbock Chamber is “to enhance J.T. and Margaret
of Commerce, the Covenant and benefit Talkington as close
Foundation, Lubbock Regional Art the Lubbock friends. Margaret
Center, and the Science Spectrum community was my mentor. They
Board. She was a lifetime patron of through both taught me the
the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra investments, importance of caring
and a benefactor for many charitable which make the about my community,
and educational pursuits in Lubbock. community a and giving generously
She was the recipient of many better place to live of my time, talents
local, state and national awards and work for all and resources to
for her charitable, professional and individuals and families.” Margaret others without fanfare. The way they
educational endeavors. served as the Foundation President lived their lives showed me the true
until her death in 2010. meaning of “well done, good and
J.T. also served the Lubbock faithful servant”.
community with his time, talent and The Talkington Foundation has given
resources. He served as Chairman of grants creating endowments and These good and faithful servants, J.T.
the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, scholarships to continue funding and Margaret Talkington, though
as President of both the United Way important causes. Some of the not with us today, continue to have a
and The Rotary Club of Lubbock beneficiaries of these endowments positive impact on the lives of people
and was a Paul Harris Fellow in include the South Plains Food Bank, in our community. That legacy of
Rotary. He also served on the Board Lubbock Christian University, the impact, both past and present, has
of Directors of Lubbock National YWCA, the Lubbock Area United established an example for us to
Bank, West Central Investment Way, the Texas Tech Health Sciences follow today and for generations to
Corporation and was a major Center, Texas Tech University, come.

Per the instructions of J.T and Margaret Talkington,
the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Charitable Foundation, Inc. is due to sunset by 2020.

The Talkington Foundation held its final grant cycle in 2017 and is not accepting any additional grant requests.
The Board of Directors is in the process of winding down all final administrative matters at this time.

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