The late Lester Ross was inducted into the New Cumberland Hall of Fame posthumously on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Lester will be a member of the 35t Hall of Fame inductees honored for their service to their fellow man and the community of New Cumberland.
Lester was born on Ross Rd. in New Cumberland, a son of Ray and Agnes Bell Drake Ross. He attended Tope School from 1932 to 1940 and then went to New Cumberland High School for 3 years. He was employed by the Weirton Steel division of National Steel. A serious injury kept him out of service during World War II.
Lester married Virginia Irene Chenowith on July 6, 1946 and together they had four children: Robert (deceased), William “Bill” (deceased), Louanne Huff of Milton, WV and John of North Kingston, OH. Their legacy continues with eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
An ardent sportsman outdoorsman, Lester was one of the incorporators of the New Cumberland Gun Club in 1948 and the Hancock Fishing Club in 1950. In 1957, Lester, along with some archery friends organized the Wyandot Archery Club, serving as president until 1968. Bob and Bill became more involved in the sports competition. Eventually they became quite proficient and won over 100 trophies and medals, traveling as far as Michigan and New York. Lester stopped competing in 1968.
Lester served as Scoutmaster of the New Cumberland Boy Scouts Troop 60 from 1962 to 1968. The Troop was sponsored by the Methodist Church. He also served as instructor and merit badge counselor, teaching classes in Archery, Marksmanship, Woodcarving and Leathercraft, Lester was the 2001 recipient of the Jack Harris Spirit of Scouting Award.
Sometime in the 1990s, Dan Tabler, the Hancock County WVU Extension Agent, approached Lester and asked for his help in writing and diagramming a trapping booklet to be used by the 4H Clubs as there was a 4-H project, but no instruction booklet, Lester obliged and this booklet was used used by the State of West Virginia for 4-H trapping projects.
In 1966, Lester and Roy Cave formed Frontier Sports, a sporting goods store located at the corner of South Chester and Madison Streets in New Cumberland. The business operated until 1979 when the partners disbanded and closed the store. Lester then became interested in horse racing and was a licensed trainer and owner, racing in West Virginia, Ohio, PA and Maryland. He continued his venture until 1986 at which time he sold the farm in Chester and moved back to New Cumberland.
In 1971, Lester fulfilled a lifelong dream when he went on an African Safari, collecting 17 big game trophies. He started Big Yukon and Northwest Territories. Lester continued hunting until his mid 80’s with his sons and grandchildren.
Lester retired from National Steel in 1973 and 30 years of service. He was employed as a supervisor at Weirton Geriatric Center from 1979 to 1988. Not content to be retired, Lester opened Ross Company in September 1988 in a building next to the old Graham Brothers Store. In 1991, he purchased the Graham building and after extensive renovations was able to open the upstairs for business rental. After the January flood of 1996. He moved the business into the building as well.
One time a young boy from town stopped in the store looking for fishing equipment. Lester told him to stop back the next day. He put together rods, reels and tackle for him and some of his friends. He was always looking for way to teach the younger generations new skills.
Lester was a member of the Point Pleasant United Methodist Church for 75 years, serving as a trustee, administrative council and in the church choir. Lester and his son, Bill, were instrumental in bringing back the fireworks to New Cumberland on the 4th of July. And, he remains one of the largest contributors to the event. He was a member of the New Cumberland Hall of Fame Committee, New Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, Panhandle Pheasant Club, Chapter 499 of Pheasants Forever, Chester/Newell Sportsman Club, Safari Club, International National Rifle Association, Mazuri Foundation, Weirton Steel 25 year Club and Weirton Steel Male Chorus.
Lester continued to find ways to serve his family, church and community with his hobbies of woodworking and toll painting. Samples of his handiwork were often donated to raise money for local causes such as Citizens for New
Cumberland, Pheasants Forever and the Hancock County 4-H Office.The late Lester Ross was inducted into the New Cumberland Hall of Fame posthumously on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Lester will be a member of the 35t Hall of Fame inductees honored for their service to their fellow man and the community of New Cumberland.
Lester was born on Ross Rd. in New Cumberland, a son of Ray and Agnes Bell Drake Ross. He attended Tope School from 1932 to 1940 and then went to New Cumberland High School for 3 years. He was employed by the Weirton Steel division of National Steel. A serious injury kept him out of service during World War II.
Lester married Virginia Irene Chenowith on July 6, 1946 and together they had four children: Robert (deceased), William “Bill” (deceased), Louanne Huff of Milton, WV and John of North Kingston, OH. Their legacy continues with eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
An ardent sportsman outdoorsman, Lester was one of the incorporators of the New Cumberland Gun Club in 1948 and the Hancock Fishing Club in 1950. In 1957, Lester, along with some archery friends organized the Wyandot Archery Club, serving as president until 1968. Bob and Bill became more involved in the sports competition. Eventually they became quite proficient and won over 100 trophies and medals, traveling as far as Michigan and New York. Lester stopped competing in 1968.
Lester served as Scoutmaster of the New Cumberland Boy Scouts Troop 60 from 1962 to 1968. The Troop was sponsored by the Methodist Church. He also served as instructor and merit badge counselor, teaching classes in Archery, Marksmanship, Woodcarving and Leathercraft, Lester was the 2001 recipient of the Jack Harris Spirit of Scouting Award.
Sometime in the 1990s, Dan Tabler, the Hancock County WVU Extension Agent, approached Lester and asked for his help in writing and diagramming a trapping booklet to be used by the 4H Clubs as there was a 4-H project, but no instruction booklet, Lester obliged and this booklet was used used by the State of West Virginia for 4-H trapping projects.
In 1966, Lester and Roy Cave formed Frontier Sports, a sporting goods store located at the corner of South Chester and Madison Streets in New Cumberland. The business operated until 1979 when the partners disbanded and closed the store. Lester then became interested in horse racing and was a licensed trainer and owner, racing in West Virginia, Ohio, PA and Maryland. He continued his venture until 1986 at which time he sold the farm in Chester and moved back to New Cumberland.
In 1971, Lester fulfilled a lifelong dream when he went on an African Safari, collecting 17 big game trophies. He started Big Yukon and Northwest Territories. Lester continued hunting until his mid 80’s with his sons and grandchildren.
Lester retired from National Steel in 1973 and 30 years of service. He was employed as a supervisor at Weirton Geriatric Center from 1979 to 1988. Not content to be retired, Lester opened Ross Company in September 1988 in a building next to the old Graham Brothers Store. In 1991, he purchased the Graham building and after extensive renovations was able to open the upstairs for business rental. After the January flood of 1996. He moved the business into the building as well.
One time a young boy from town stopped in the store looking for fishing equipment. Lester told him to stop back the next day. He put together rods, reels and tackle for him and some of his friends. He was always looking for way to teach the younger generations new skills.
Lester was a member of the Point Pleasant United Methodist Church for 75 years, serving as a trustee, administrative council and in the church choir. Lester and his son, Bill, were instrumental in bringing back the fireworks to New Cumberland on the 4th of July. And, he remains one of the largest contributors to the event. He was a member of the New Cumberland Hall of Fame Committee, New Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, Panhandle Pheasant Club, Chapter 499 of Pheasants Forever, Chester/Newell Sportsman Club, Safari Club, International National Rifle Association, Mazuri Foundation, Weirton Steel 25 year Club and Weirton Steel Male Chorus.
Lester continued to find ways to serve his family, church and community with his hobbies of woodworking and toll painting. Samples of his handiwork were often donated to raise money for local causes such as Citizens for NewCumberland, Pheasants Forever and the Hancock County 4-H Office.
Lester passed away on November 17, 2016.
