A 30-foot Norway Spruce will serve as the official state Christmas Tree – donated by a Lawrenceburg family in memory of their late son’s passion for the holiday.
“Kevin loved Christmas,” said Joyce Gritton. “He loved choosing unique and personal gifts. We thought it would be a good way to remember him and let his friends know he was giving them one last gift.”
Her son, Kevin, collapsed and died in July 2008 at age 42 while helping build a storage shed near his parent’s home. The shed was actually a Christmas gift to them, Joyce said.
His cousins helped finish building the shed, which now bears a plaque in his honor.
Kevin also enjoyed tossing around wadded up balls of Christmas wrapping paper while opening gifts. He also helped Joyce’s sister-in-law prepare the mashed potatoes for 50 people at the family’s Christmas gathering.
“That was probably 20 pounds of potatoes,” Joyce said.
In addition to Christmas, Kevin was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed truck pulls and loved watching University of Kentucky football and basketball. He worked at American Stainless Steel in Covington and previously was a district manager in Ohio for another company.
“He didn’t know a stranger,” Joyce said. “He had friends in Spain and Jamaica. He touched more hearts, made more friends and accomplished more than many people do in a lifetime.”
She said she was honored to have her tree selected for the state Christmas celebration.
“It’s a great privilege,” Joyce said.
The tree was one of three Norway Spruces the family planted when they bought the land in 1986. The tree has a perfect pyramid shape, beautiful color and thick coverage, Joyce said.
“We thought it would make a good Christmas tree,” she said.
However, Joyce and her husband, Jackie, were a little concerned when Gov. Steve Beshear proclaimed the tree would be a “holiday tree.”
But, Beshear confirmed the tree would be part of the Christmas tradition after complaints from Christian leaders.
“Kevin wouldn’t want Christ to be taken out of the Christmas tree,” Joyce said. “He was raised that way.”
The Christmas tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. Decorations will include energy-efficient light emitting diodes and a star.
Entertainment at the lighting ceremony will include the Western Hills high school choir, the Frankfort School of Ballet, Frankfort Children Singers and Franklin County High School chamber choir.
The event is free and will include a visit by Santa Claus.