CULLMAN, Ala. – Charles Hayes still has the $2 bill Roy Drinkard handed him at a Troy University football game.
“I met Mr Drinkard at a Troy football game and he gave me a two dollar bill with his picture on it. I still have it,” Hayes wrote.
It was one of the personal memories shared following Drinkard’s death Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at the age of 106.
Drinkard was a World War II veteran, businessman, developer, civic leader and the last surviving member of Cullman’s Flying Fifty. At his death, he was recognized as the nation’s oldest living U.S. Marine.
His influence could be measured through businesses, industrial recruitment, educational support and public service. Those who knew him, however, remembered something more personal: a first job, an old story, a family connection, a shared laugh or a small keepsake from a football game.
Jeannie M. Gallant remembered the humor Drinkard brought to their first meeting. She noticed one button on his shirt was undone and decided to button it for him.
“Note his shirt has one button not buttoned. The first time I met him I buttoned his shirt. He smiled. Kissed my cheek and whispered I always leave it unbuttoned so pretty girls will come close and button,” Gallant wrote.
For family members, his death represented the loss of a connection across generations.
Shirley Bowman identified Drinkard as her cousin and recalled the connection he provided to her father, Jack Drinkard, who died in 1987.
“My heart is broken today, Mr. Roy was my cousin, I feel like I have lost my last connection to my father, Jack Drinkard. Daddy passed in 1987,” Bowman wrote.
Bowman asked Drinkard to say hello to her father and tell him she still loved and missed him.
Cindy Reeve Dodds remembered Drinkard as a relative and supporter of Troy University.
“What a terrible loss for all of us. Mr. Roy was a wise business man that supported so many projects and we will certainly miss him at TROY UNIVERSITY!” Dodds wrote. “Rest easy now Uncle Roy.”
Drinkard served more than 25 years on the Troy University Board of Trustees. Former Gov. Don Siegelman appointed him in April 2000, when Drinkard was approaching 80. He was reappointed twice and continued serving beyond his 100th birthday.
“Roy and I had a long history together. As Governor I had the pleasure of asking Roy if he would like to serve on the Board of Trustees at Troy. Deservingly Roy became their hero. We miss his presence but his memory will always be with us,” Siegelman wrote.
Drinkard’s working relationships in Cullman reached back even further.
Gwen Parker went to work for Drinkard Chevrolet in 1967. The receptionist position was her first job after high school.
“I went to work for Mr. Drinkard at Drinkard Chevrolet in 1967 as a receptionist. It was my first real job out of high school. He was the nicest person and a great boss. Rest In Peace Mr. Drinkard,” Parker wrote.
Drinkard opened Drinkard Chevrolet Company in 1955 and operated it until 1974, when he turned it over to his son-in-law, Mitch Smith. His business interests later expanded throughout the Southeast through Drinkard Development.
Those who spent time with Drinkard also remembered the stories he carried from more than a century of life.
“Wonderful man and he had such a great trove of stories regarding his his life and Cullman history. I had the great pleasure of hearing some of his stories. I hope his family recorded many of these for history, they were priceless,” Burma Graves wrote.
Randy Ball said he had known of Drinkard and his relatives throughout his life, recalling that his father was friends with the family during the 1960s.
Others who never met Drinkard said his stories made them wish they had. Marcus Morris wrote that he would have loved to sit and talk with him, while Sherry Mosley wished she could have listened to his life stories. DeAnne Jones Terrell thanked The Tribune for sharing those stories.
Chris Robson met Drinkard after moving to Cullman 14 years ago.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Drinkard when I first moved to Cullman 14 years ago. Such a wonderful and positive soul. May he be welcomed into the open arms of Jesus,” Robson wrote.
Donnie Handley remembered a friend whose influence reached people in different ways.
“He will be greatly missed because he has touched so many people in many different ways,” Handley wrote, adding that he was “glad to be able to say he was my friend.”
Phyllis Hain said Drinkard affected the community for decades, was always a pleasure to see and deserved a large celebration of life.
Drinkard’s support for education was another recurring memory.
“He gave generously to so many. So grateful for his generous donations to Wallace State students when I was there,” Melinda Edwards wrote.
Wallace State Community College expressed gratitude for Drinkard’s decades of support, leadership and friendship. St. Bernard Preparatory School remembered him as a beloved member of its Class of 1938 and a treasured member of the St. Bernard family.
The Cullman County Commission called Drinkard a giant of the community, pointing to Drinkard Chevrolet, Drinkard Development, The Flying Fifty, his Industrial Development Board service and his donation of land for local schools.
“Mr. Drinkard’s fingerprints are on nearly every chapter of Cullman’s modern growth,” the Commission stated.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs and the Cullman City Council said Drinkard was part of Cullman’s history and his military service and community contributions would not be forgotten. Cullman County Economic Development credited his leadership, generosity and investment with helping shape the county.
His influence also extended beyond Cullman.
Drinkard was born July 12, 1920, in Falkville, where his father was a businessman and served as mayor for 20 years. The Town of Falkville remembered a life defined by honor, dedication, generosity and service.
The City of Albertville remembered Drinkard not only as a developer and business partner, but also as a friend.
The Drinkard family’s connection to Albertville extended to the 1940s through its funeral service community. Decades later, Drinkard Development helped bring Lucas Cinemas and Buffalo Wild Wings to Albertville.
Drinkard recited the Pledge of Allegiance and led the prayer at the 2021 grand opening of Sand Mountain Park. Albertville hoped to welcome him as guest of honor for its Liberty Launch celebration in July, but his health did not allow him to attend.
After more than 100 days in the hospital during the spring, Drinkard returned home before his 106th birthday. He was home and surrounded by loved ones when he died.
“But for those of us at the City, Roy was so much more than a developer or business partner,” the City of Albertville stated. “He was our friend.”
The city closed its remembrance with two messages: “We love you, Roy!” and “Welcome home.”
State and national leaders also remembered Drinkard’s friendship, patriotism and service.
Gov. Kay Ivey called him a dear friend and true American hero.
“Alabama has lost a true American hero. Roy Drinkard, the nation’s oldest living U.S. Marine, was a dear friend and a proud patriot,” Ivey stated. “In the words of The Marines’ Hymn, Mr. Drinkard is now guarding the streets of Heaven.”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Drinkard’s work with The Flying Fifty made a generational impact on Alabama and helped transform Cullman’s business community. Tuberville’s office submitted Drinkard’s story to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in 2025.
“His story is one of faith, patriotism, and hard work, and I’m proud my office was able to submit it to the Library of Congress last year to ensure his story lives on for generations to come,” Tuberville stated.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt remembered Drinkard as a World War II veteran, businessman, visionary and philanthropist, but said those accomplishments did not completely define him.
“But beyond all of those accomplishments, Roy was simply a good man and a good friend,” Aderholt stated. “I’m grateful to have known him, and even more grateful to have been able to call him my friend.”
John Wahl described Drinkard as a man of faith, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend. He recalled Drinkard leading the Pledge of Allegiance before the 2021 Donald Trump rally in Cullman.
“I was blessed to be one of those friends, and I will always be grateful for the time I had with him,” Wahl stated.
State Sen. Garlan Gudger Jr. said the community had lost a giant whose impact would continue beyond the final chapter of his life.
“What a life!” Gudger stated. “Thank you Mr. Roy!”
Dozens of other messages focused on Drinkard’s service as a Marine. Some offered a salute or “Semper Fi.” Others thanked him for his service and sacrifice, described him as an American hero or told him to rest easy.
Maurice James Foster remembered Drinkard as an icon during the years he lived in the Cullman area and ended his message with “Rest in Peace, Marine. SEMPER FI.”
Renda M. Carr thanked Drinkard for his service to the country and the world. David Fine wrote that he had been a blessing to many. Michael Cass Baron Moss wrote, “Rest easy Marine,” while Julie Hill offered, “God speed, Marine.”
Some remembered 106 years of life. Others remembered more than seven decades of work in Cullman. Family members remembered an uncle and cousin. Former employees remembered a kind employer, friends remembered conversations and strangers remembered the stories they had read.
When Drinkard was asked at 105 to share the lesson he carried from a lifetime of service, his answer was simple: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
The messages left after his death reflected that lesson through stories of family, friendship, service, generosity and love.
Services
Written by Madelyne Grimmett, great-granddaughter of Roy Henry Drinkard.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Roy’s memory consider making a contribution to education, a cause that remained deeply important to him throughout his life.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Drinkard Development Legacy Scholarship or the Drinkard Development Endowed Scholarship, both at Wallace State Community College, or to Troy University foundation in memory of Roy H. Drinkard.
Visitation will be held at Roy’s home, The Borkenau, 405 9th St SW, Cullman, AL 35055, on Thursday, August 27, from 2:00–6:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be held at Tom Drake Coliseum, 801 College Dr, Hanceville, AL 35077, on Friday, August 28, at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service and interment will follow at Cullman City Cemetery.
The family would be honored to have you join them in remembering and celebrating Roy’s extraordinary life.
CCED Director Matt Kinsland (left) and Tiffany Oldacre Green (right) pose with Roy Drinkard (center) following a local economic meeting (Cullman County Economic Development)
County Comission Chairman Jeff Clemons (right) at Roy Drinkards (left) 105 birthday celebration (Cullman County Comission)
Dr Viki Karlowiks with Roy Drinkard together following a WSCC fundraiser (WSCC)
Gov Ivey joking with Roy Drinkard after making a proclamtion (Gov Office)
Gov Kay Ivey visiting with Roy Drinkard(Gov Office)
John Wahl celebrates Roy Drinkards 105 birthday
Roy Drinkards graduating class from St Bernard (St Bernard)
Roy Drinkards graduating photo from St Bernard (St Bernard)
Sen Pro Tempe Garlan Gudger Jr with Roy Drinkard (Garlan Gudger Jr)
Senator Robert Aderholt (top) with his wife Caroline (left) celebrate the 105 birthday of Roy Drinkard (center) at his home in Cullman (Senator Robert Aderholt
Wesley Britt (left) Gov Elect Tommy Tubberville (top center) and Rep Katie Britt (right) celebrated Roy Drinkards (center) 105 birthday(Katie Britt Office)
