A Century of Honor: Remembering Roy Drinkard, the Oldest Living U.S. Marine

Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, Drinkard deployed to the Pacific theater, where he bore witness to some of the most intense conflicts of the mid-20th century. The Pacific campaign tested the limits of human endurance, yet the discipline, camaraderie, and fortitude he absorbed in the Corps became the bedrock of his character. According to historical accounts and statements from military historians, veterans of his generation viewed service not merely as a temporary obligation, but as a lifelong commitment to the ideals of freedom and responsibility.

When the war ended, Drinkard returned home to Alabama, ready to conquer the challenges of peacetime. After initial ventures, he settled in Cullman in 1949—a community that would become both his lifelong home and the canvas for his professional ambitions. Initially entering the automotive industry, he founded Drinkard Chevrolet Company, managing it successfully for decades before transitioning into commercial real estate development as the president of Drinkard Development, Inc.

His business acumen transformed the commercial landscape of the American Southeast. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Drinkard developed major shopping centers, medical complexes, and residential properties across Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio. His companies achieved national prominence, recognized as top developers for major retail anchors like K-Mart and Kroger.