CULLMAN, Ala. – Roy Henry Drinkard, the World War II veteran, businessman, developer and civic leader whose influence helped shape modern Cullman, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. He was 106.
Drinkard’s family confirmed his passing to The Cullman Tribune late Sunday night. Funeral arrangements had not been announced.
For 77 years, beginning with his move to Cullman in 1949, Drinkard was woven into the city’s economic, civic and charitable life. His legacy stretched from automobile dealerships and shopping centers to industrial recruitment, education, scholarships and generations of personal relationships.
At the time of his passing, Drinkard was recognized as the nation’s oldest living U.S. Marine. The distinction represented only one part of a life that included service to his country during war and nearly eight decades of service to the community he made his home.
Drinkard was born July 12, 1920, in Falkville, where his father was a businessman and served as mayor for 20 years. He attended St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman before joining the U.S. Marine Corps and serving during World War II.
After returning from the war, Drinkard operated a funeral home in Guntersville for several years before coming back to Cullman. He became a partner in Drinkard Pontiac-GMC in May 1949, then opened Drinkard Chevrolet Company in 1955 and operated it until 1974, when he turned the business over to his son-in-law, Mitch Smith.
Drinkard’s business career expanded far beyond automobiles. As president of Drinkard Development, he developed and managed shopping centers, theaters, medical complexes, apartments and other commercial properties across the Southeast, with projects in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and Ohio.
His developments were anchored by some of the country’s largest retailers. He was recognized as Kmart’s leading developer in 1981 and Kroger’s leading developer in 1982, while his Cullman properties included Marktplatz Shopping Center, Arnold Village Shopping Center, Town Square Shopping Center and King Edward Shopping Center.
Drinkard also was the last surviving member of The Flying Fifty, the group of local business and civic leaders who traveled the country recruiting industry and investment to Cullman after World War II. The Flying Fifty Hotel in downtown Cullman was later named in honor of the group and the foundation it helped build.
As chairman of the Cullman Industrial Development Board for nearly 30 years, Drinkard helped recruit companies including King Edward Cigar, Bendix-Westinghouse, Americold and National Screw. That work helped broaden Cullman’s employment base and contributed to the economic growth that followed.
His civic contributions extended beyond business and industry. Drinkard donated land for educational facilities for Cullman County Schools, helped raise thousands of dollars for college scholarships and remained a supporter of education throughout his life.
In April 2000, at nearly 80 years old, Drinkard was appointed to the Troy University Board of Trustees by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. He was reappointed twice, most recently by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2020, and continued serving the university well past his 100th birthday.
Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. called him “a national treasure” during Drinkard’s 105th birthday celebration. By then, Drinkard had served as a Troy trustee for 25 years, bringing to the university the same commitment to service that defined his life in Cullman.
Among his many honors, The Cullman Times named Drinkard Cullman’s Outstanding Citizen of the Century, and the City of Cullman presented him with the key to the city in 2017. He also received the Great American Hero Award and the Dr. Jack Hawkins Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.
When he received the key to the city, Drinkard said, “I’m proud to be an American, proud to be an Alabamian, proud to be a Cullman Countian.”
His patriotism remained visible throughout his later years. Drinkard led the Pledge of Allegiance before Donald Trump’s 2021 rally in Cullman and again on the final day of the Alabama Legislature’s 2025 regular session.
The recognition he received stretched beyond Cullman. Guests at his 105th birthday celebration included Gov. Kay Ivey, U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt and other state and local officials. They joined family, friends and community leaders at the Borkenau, Drinkard’s historic Cullman home, where Aderholt presented a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and entered a tribute to Drinkard into the Congressional Record.
Despite the businesses, buildings and honors attached to his name, Drinkard regularly measured his life through faith, family and relationships. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cullman for more than 75 years, opened his home to visitors and maintained a weekly grandkids’ night with his family.
During a 2023 visit with second graders at Sacred Heart School, Drinkard said, “I’m wealthy in life.” He explained that he counted his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the kindness of the community and his faith in Jesus among his greatest riches.
Drinkard’s grandson-in-law, Jason Grimmett, said in 2025, “Everywhere he goes he makes friends. He’s got an infectious personality.” Friends and family said his humor, optimism and ability to find common ground remained with him throughout his life.
Drinkard’s health was tested during his final year. After spending 123 days in the hospital, he met his goal of returning home before his 106th birthday on July 12, 2026. He passed away six weeks after reaching that milestone.
His 106 years reached across war, postwar growth and generations of change, but the measure of Drinkard’s life was never confined to its length. The businesses, developments, land, scholarships and institutions remain, along with the stories of the people he welcomed, encouraged and helped.
When asked at 105 to share the lesson he carried from a lifetime of service, Drinkard’s answer was simple: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
