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

Yet, economic success for Drinkard was always tethered to community upliftment. For nearly 30 years, he chaired the Cullman Industrial Development Board, spearheading the legendary "Flying 50" initiative. This visionary group of civic leaders actively recruited major manufacturing and industrial employers to North Alabama, generating thousands of jobs and shielding the local economy from stagnation. Local leaders frequently described him as a giant of community building, a man whose handshake was his bond and whose primary focus remained the welfare of his neighbors.

Beyond commerce, Drinkard dedicated immense energy to education and public governance. In April 2000, at nearly 80 years of age, he was appointed to the Troy University Board of Trustees by Governor Don Siegelman. He was subsequently reappointed by successive governors, including a reappointment in 2020 by Governor Kay Ivey, serving a remarkable tenure spanning over a quarter of a century.

During his time on the board, Drinkard provided steady leadership through transformative milestones, including the unification of the global Troy State University System into "One Great University" and the launch of the institution's inaugural doctoral programs. Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. frequently praised Drinkard's profound impact, noting that despite his immense business success, his heart remained firmly fixed on people, students, and institutional growth. In recognition of his lifetime of service, Troy University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2014, cementing his legacy as a "True Trojan".