08/27/2026
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A profound chapter of American history has come to a close. On August 23, 2026, Roy Drinkard, a World War II veteran, America’s oldest living United States Marine, and a deeply influential Alabama businessman, passed away at the age of 106.
Drinkard leaves behind a monumental legacy that spans from the battlefields of the Pacific theater to the boardrooms of major retail developments, marking a life defined by continuous service to his country and his community.
Born on July 12, 1920, in Falkville, Alabama, Drinkard grew up with leadership in his blood. His father was a successful businessman who served as the town’s mayor for two decades. As a young man, Drinkard attended the St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman before answering the call to serve his country, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and deploying to the Pacific.
When he returned home after the war, Drinkard wasted no time transitioning his military discipline into an extraordinary business career. He initially operated a local funeral home and ran car dealerships in Alabama. However, his sharp business prowess soon led him into major real estate development. Over the decades, Drinkard built and managed shopping centers, medical complexes, theaters, and apartment buildings across the country, from Ohio to Louisiana. His success in the industry was so profound that he was named the leading developer for Kmart in 1981, and received the same distinction from Kroger the following year.
Yet, Drinkard’s heart remained firmly planted in Cullman. For nearly 30 years, he served as the chairman of the Cullman Industrial Development Board. In this role, he was a driving force behind the region's economic boom, relentlessly recruiting companies and bringing thousands of jobs to North Alabama.
Beyond his commercial success, Drinkard was a passionate advocate for education and youth development. He generously donated land for Cullman County Schools' educational facilities and helped raise thousands of dollars for college scholarships. Partnering with the Marine Corps and the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, he spent his later years actively mentoring local youth, teaching them the importance of responsible leadership and public service.
His dedication to education extended to higher learning as well. In 2000, then-Governor Don Siegelman appointed Drinkard to the Troy University Board of Trustees. He was subsequently reappointed twice, serving well past his 100th birthday after a final reappointment by Governor Kay Ivey in 2020.
“Mr. Roy was a proud Marine and an inspiration to all who knew him—devoted to his family, his faith, and the preservation of freedom,” Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. said in a statement following Drinkard's passing. “As a World War II veteran and America's oldest living Marine, he embodied the truth that freedom is not free... He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all Trojans.”
In 2019, "The Cullman Times" honored Drinkard with the title of "Distinguished Citizen of the Century," a fitting tribute to a man who spent nearly a hundred years shaping the world around him.
Alabama Representative Robert Aderholt also reflected on Drinkard’s passing, noting that his life was a testament to the Greatest Generation. “Roy was part of a generation of Americans who understood service as a responsibility," Aderholt stated. "That commitment to service continued throughout the rest of his life, whether it was through his work in business, his efforts to bring jobs and opportunities to North Alabama, his support for education, or the many ways he helped people throughout his community.”
As Cullman and the broader military community mourn the loss of a true American patriot, Roy Drinkard’s century of service—both in uniform and in civilian life—will not be forgotten.
Semper Fi, Mr. Drinkard.
