World War II veteran, oldest living Marine, Cullman Outstanding Citizen of the Century and Troy University Trustee are just a few of the titles Roy Drinkard has held over his 105 years of life.
Born July 12, 1920 in Falkville, Alabama, Drinkard attended St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman before joining the United States Marine Corps and serving in World War II under General Eisenhower. After returning from the war, Drinkard operated a funeral home in Guntersville, Alabama, for several years before returning to Cullman to launch Drinkard Chevrolet.
Over the next 50 years, he integrated himself into every aspect of life in Cullman: becoming a part of the “Flying 50s,” a group of civic leaders who recruited industry to the town and revitalized the local economy post-war; chaired Cullman’s Industrial Development Board for nearly 30 years; founded Drinkard Development, a major Southeast real estate firm managing shopping centers, theaters, medical complexes, apartments and more; donated land for educational facilities for Cullman County Schools; and raised thousands of dollars for college scholarships.
In April 2000, at almost 80 years old, Drinkard was appointed to the Troy University Board of Trustees by then-Governor Don Siegelman. He was reappointed twice, most recently in 2020 by Gov. Kay Ivey.
“It is an honor to celebrate the 105th birthday of our dear friend and Trustee, Mr. Roy Drinkard,” said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “Mr. Roy is a national treasure. His life of service to his country is testimony to his understanding that freedom is not free. As a member of the greatest generation, he demonstrated his love of America through service in World War II and to the US Marine Corps. We are honored by his continued service as a Trustee of Troy University.”
Charles Nailen was appointed as a Trustee in 2003 and has worked alongside Drinkard for the last 22 years, developing a close friendship. After a health scare in 2019, Nailen looked to Drinkard as an example of how to live a healthier life.
“At 99 years old, he was the one coming to see me in the hospital,” he said. “His ‘Brother in Christ,’ as he likes to refer to me. To think of all it took for him to come up and see me is indicative of the kind of man he is.”
The biggest lesson he’s learned from his friend, though, is that life has a purpose.
“Our life has a purpose, and I got that from Roy Drinkard,” Nailen said. “His life has a purpose. He gets out of bed every morning and he’s up and going to the office to see what’s going on. I’ve learned so many great things from him. It’s about living a life full of positivity and optimism. He’s been an inspiration to me, and it’s been a blessing to know him all these years.”
Friends and family from across Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Texas traveled to “the Borkenau,” Drinkard’s historic home in Cullman for the birthday celebration. Jason Grimmett, Drinkard’s grandson-in-law, said the turnout was a testament of the appreciation, love and respect people hold for him.
“The feeling is mutual. Roy loves people,” he said. “He loves to open his house for people to come visit, he loves guests. He’s been so excited about inviting his friends and family to come today. Everywhere he goes he makes friends—he’s got an infectious personality. No matter how old he gets, he’s never lost his desire to have fun. He’s got a way of getting along with people and finding common ground. He’s truly one-of-a-kind.”
Grimmett said it’s been an immeasurable blessing to the family to still have him here at 105 years old.
“Especially for all the great-grandkids to still have their PawPaw here and to have grandkids’ night each Wednesday,” he said. “He never misses any of their games or school events. To be 105 and still have such an active part of their lives is amazing.”
Madelyne Grimmett, Drinkard’s great-granddaughter, said she’s been going to grandkids’ night—a night where they all have dinner together and visit for a few hours—for as long as she can remember.
“I’m 24, almost 25, since we’re only 80 years and 9 days apart,” Madelyne said. “We’ve been doing this for my entire life, and it’s been an honor to get to know him so well. Most people only see bits of him here and there, but I see him all the time because not only am I his great-granddaughter, I’m also his neighbor so I’m right here. I know how much he loves and how much he loves people, his community, TROY and just life, so to see all these people come to celebrate 105 years of life makes me very happy for him. It’s very surreal.”
Madelyne is a TROY Online student studying history and said she inherited her love of TROY from her great grandfather.
“We grew up going to TROY games because of him and being around Dr. Hawkins, Mrs. Janice and all of the other Trustees,” she said. “I really love TROY and it’s been a great experience being a student. He would probably also want me to say ‘go Trojans,’ so go Trojans!”
Among the many guests celebrating the 105th birthday milestone were Gov. Kay Ivey, senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville and Congressman Robert Aderholt, along with other local and state officials. Gov. Ivey presented Drinkard with a commendation honoring his birthday, and Sen. Tuberville presented him with a letter from President Trump congratulating him on 105 years and announced his story had been submitted to the Veterans’ History Project at the Library of Congress.
Congressman Aderholt also presented him with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol and entered a tribute into the Congressional Record in his honor.
“Caroline and I are honored to stand beside Mr. Roy Drinkard’s family and friends today to honor a veteran who bravely served in World War II as a United States Marine,” Aderholt said in a press release. “At 105-years-old, Mr. Roy Drinkard continues to show what it means to live with courage, commitment and purpose. Roy Drinkard’s commitment to leadership is evident in his continued involvement in business and his service on the Board of Trustees at Troy University, a testament that age is no barrier to leadership.”
When reflecting on the day, Drinkard said his favorite moments were the prayer from Pastor Scott Sessions of Cullman Nazarene Church and the overall outpouring of love from his beloved community.
His main takeaway from 105 years of life?
“’Love one another as I have loved you.’”
