It’s the close of a chapter in American history that connects 2026 to World War II.
Cullman businessman Roy Drinkard died Sunday night in Cullman at age 106.
Among his other accomplishments, Drinkard was the oldest living U.S. Marine. Semper fi.
The Cullman community enabled Roy Drinkard, and at 106, he had never forgotten his roots.
Drinkard was born July 12, 1920, in Falkville in nearby Morgan County. His father was a businessman and served as mayor for 20 years. The fruit did not fall far from the tree.
After his discharge from the Marines, Drinkard moved to Marshall County and entered the funeral home business. He felt it was a dead-end business and left. His family sold the funeral business.
Drinkard moved to Cullman in 1949. The president was Harry Truman. He was a partner in Drinkard Pontiac-GMC from May 1949 to May 1955, then became owner and operator of Drinkard Chevrolet Company until 1974, when he turned it over to his son-in-law, Mitch Smith.
When Drinkard started Drinkard Chevrolet in 1955, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States. That observation puts the Roy Drinkard story into historical context.
Over the next half century, businessman and civic leader Drinkard earned the distinction of “Outstanding Citizen of the Century,” named by The Cullman Times. In 1953-54, he served as chair of the board of directors of the Cullman Chamber. That was just the beginning.
Roy Drinkard was more than a centenarian. He was a beloved local figure, a veteran, and one of Alabama’s most respected businessmen. Known for his sharp mind, strong handshake, and enduring patriotism, Drinkard had played a vital role in shaping Cullman’s business and civic landscape for decades.
There was an organization of leaders in the Cullman area that promoted the region starting in the 1950s. Drinkard coined an appropriate and colorful name for the group: “The Flying 50s.” A hotel has now opened in downtown Cullman honoring Drinkard and the other leaders of that growth period — The Flying Fifty Hotel.
Drinkard held a reunion of the Flying Fifties every day of his life. He was the only living member. Now, they are history.
He was the longtime chairman of the Industrial Development Board, which recruited King Edward Cigar, Bendix-Westinghouse, Americold, and National Screw.
In 2020, he was appointed to the Troy University Board of Trustees for a 10-year term and served on the finance committee.
After turning over the car business to family, Drinkard became president of Drinkard Development, LLC, a commercial real estate development firm. He developed shopping centers across Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio, anchored by Walmart, J.C. Penney, K-Mart, Kroger, Winn-Dixie, and others.
He was the number one developer in the United States for K-Mart in 1981 and number one for Kroger in 1982. Drinkard Development built and operated Marktplatz Food Court, Marktplatz Shopping Center, Arnold Village Shopping Center, Town Square Shopping Center, and King Edward Shopping Center.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cullman for more than 75 years.
Roy Drinkard still lived in his historic home, “the Borkenau,” which he bought in 1949.
He was active in Cullman community affairs and in the Republican Party.
He continued to raise funds for the Wallace State Community College–Hanceville scholarship foundations and their endowments.
He led the Pledge of Allegiance when Donald Trump came to Cullman in 2021 for a yuuuuuge outdoor rally.
He led the Pledge of Allegiance on the final day of the Alabama Legislature’s 2025 session — sine die.
106 difference-making years. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler is a freelance writer about the colorful and positive in Alabama — her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
