BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — For nearly half a century, Rex Endicott has stood at the ready when Martin County needed him most. This Sept. 13, instead of directing traffic or answering a rescue call, he will take a different place of honor leading the 29th Annual Harvest Festival Parade as its grand marshal.
The Martin County Kiwanis Club, sponsor of the festival, announced Endicott’s selection in August.
“Kiwanis is a service organization devoted to giving back to our community,” Kiwanis president Melissa Phelps said. “So, when it comes time to select a grand marshal for the annual Harvest Fest Parade, we look to recognize and honor someone whose life embodies and honors that spirit. Endicott, through his service with Martin County REACT & Rescue Squad and other organizations throughout the years, embodies a life of service. He is a shining example of what it means to care for your neighbors and community. His dedication isn’t about titles or awards; it’s about showing up, lending a hand and making a difference, most often in times of crisis.”
At 69, Endicott has logged 47 years with the Martin County REACT & Rescue Squad. His journey began as a senior in high school, filling the role of vice president. After his brother Bruce passed away in 2010, he moved into the presidency. Following the death of his father Roy in 2014, he stepped into the captain’s role.
Roy Endicott had been one of five men who founded the rescue squad in 1973 after a tragedy at Milo Lake. For 41 years, he answered calls across the county until his passing, leaving behind a model of dedication that shaped his son’s path.
“My inspiration comes from my dad,” Endicott said. “I want to continue helping Martin County people in any way that I can.”
Under Endicott’s leadership, the squad trains alongside the fire department and maintains certification in CPR and first aid. Their duties are broad: medical emergencies, traffic accidents requiring extrication with the “Jaws of Life,” water and wilderness rescues, searches for missing persons, support in structural fires and more.
REACT itself dates back to 1962, when volunteers monitored CB Emergency Channel 9 to assist stranded motorists. Over time, its mission grew to include storm spotting, disaster communications, and providing safety support at community events. Today, REACT teams use advanced communications to aid law enforcement, emergency management and large public gatherings.
In nearly five decades of service, Endicott has experienced both unusual and tragic missions.
“A rescue where we went to Wolf Creek Collieries silt pond was one of the strangest,” he recalled. “Somehow a cow got through the fence and wandered into the pond.”
Others carried a heavier weight.
“A man went through the loadout at Pontiki Coal and we were asked to help with finding him,” Endicott recounted. “We had to take the train to the Kenova, West Virginia, loadout to empty the cars to find him. That was in 1982, I believe, when Jay Hinkle was coroner.”
For Endicott, the Harvest Festival is hardly new territory. He and his squad have quietly provided public safety and traffic control at the parades, starting with the first one.
“We’ve directed the traffic for as long as I can remember,” he said.
Serving quietly on the sidelines with a radio in hand had always been enough, which made the recognition all the more meaningful.
“I was surprised when they asked me to be grand marshal,” said Endicott. “It’s a great honor to be chosen.”
He says he looks forward to the children along the route. His one-word description of the parade and festival: “Fantastic.”
“What makes Martin County special is the people,” he said.
Endicott worked for many years at Callaham Funeral Home. He and his late wife, Brenda, raised three children and are grandparents to six.
When not helping with the rescue squad, he enjoys going to church.
“And when I can, I just work a little in my garage,” he said.
But his thoughts still circle back to service and the future of the organizations that shaped his life. At the heart of that commitment is a simple goal.
“I want to be someone who is always there to help people,” he said.
That desire to serve, he added, means looking ahead.
“I hope to inspire young people to volunteer for the fire department and rescue squad because we need the members to keep this going on.”
The Martin County Harvest Fest kicks off Sept. 12 and 13 in Inez. The parade will roll down Main Street at 2 p.m. Sept. 13.
