Hundreds of folks are expected to drop by the home of Roy Drinkard in Cullman on Friday to congratulate him on an achievement few enjoy – his 105th birthday.
Think that you have to be a high political official or business leader to share this day with Drinkard and family? Think again. Drinkard posted this invitation to all on his social media:
EVERYONE’S INVITED: Roy Drinkard would like to invite the community to his 105th birthday celebration Friday (7/11) at his home in Cullman.
Please come by sometime between 11am-4pm Friday (7/11) at his residence to wish him a happy birthday. The address is 405 9th Street SW, Cullman, AL 35055.
The Cullman community enabled Roy Drinkard, and he has never forgotten his roots.
When Drinkard first started Drinkard Chevrolet in Cullman, it was in 1955. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the President of the United States. That observation puts the Roy Drinkard story into historical context. Drinkard had served under General Eisenhower, the Allied Commander, in World War II, way under. Drinkard was a private in the Marines.
Drinkard was born July 12, 1920, in Falkville in nearby Morgan County. His father had been a businessman and mayor for 20 years. The fruit does not fall far from the tree.
After his discharge from the Marines, Drinkard moved to Marshall County and was in the funeral home business. He felt that it was a dead-end business and left. His family sold the funeral businesses.
Drinkard moved to Cullman in 1949. The president was Harry Truman. For the next half century, businessman and civic leader Drinkard earned the distinction of “Outstanding Citizen of the Century,” named by The Cullman Times. In 1953-1954, he served as chair of the board of directors of the Cullman Chamber. That was just at the beginning stages.
Roy Drinkard is more than just a centenarian — he’s 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 has played a vital role in shaping Cullman’s business and civic landscape for decades.
Folks who have known Roy Drinkard can tell stories that reflect the character and personality of the man. Many of Drinkard's stories are quite humorous.
Tomika Woods, who is now fighting cancer, took time to tell her own Roy Drinkard first encounter:
Seeing all these 105th birthday wishes for this sweet man Roy Drinkard reminds me of the first time I ever saw him. It was about 31 years ago, and I worked in Duchess Bakery in Cullman. We were told it did not matter who you took a check from we better see their drivers’ license and write all the info on the check. Roy came in to buy doughnuts and wrote me a check. I ask for his drivers license. Lol. He gave me a drivers’ license that looked real but it had a pic of his little dog on it. I did not know him so I was confused. My boss saw him and walked out front spoke and apologized to him. Told me, “Tomika, his check is good.”
Here is an iconic photo of Roy Drinkard with President Donald Trump. It is remarkable that Drinkard is 25 years older than the oldest President of the United States – a quarter century older. When Roy Drinkard was born, the president was Woodrow T. Wilson. How many Americans are still alive and active who were alive during the Wilson administration?
Former Alabama Republican Party chairman Bill Armistead, Trump, Drinkard and his great-grandson Julius Reagan Boggs of Ainsworth Realty.
He was a partner in Drinkard Pontiac-GMC in Cullman from May 1949 to May 1955. That year, he became the owner and operator of Drinkard Chevrolet Company until 1974, when he turned it over to his son-in-law, Mitch Smith.
There was an organization of leaders in the Cullman area that promoted the area starting in the 1950s. Drinkard concocted an appropriate and colorful name for the group, "The Flying 50’s." Now, a hotel has been opened in downtown Cullman that honors Drinkard and the other leaders of that growth period, the 1950s – The Flying Fifty Hotel.
Drinkard now has a reunion of the Flying Fifties members every day of his life. That is because he is the only living member.
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 10 years and served on the finance committee. He needs to live and be active until 2030 to serve out his term. Few would bet against that.
After turning over the car business to family, Drinkard became president of Drinkard Development, LLC, a commercial real estate development business. He developed numerous shopping centers in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio, featuring stores such as Wal-Mart, 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 developed and operated Marktplatz Food Court, Marktplatz Shopping Center, Arnold Village Shopping Center, Town Square Shopping Center and the King Edward Shopping Center.
He has been a member of First Baptist Church in Cullman for more than 75 years.
Do you think the last chapter has been written in the Roy Drinkard story at 105? No. New chapters are continuing even now.
Roy Drinkard continues to live in his historic home, "the Borkenau," which he bought in 1949. This is the site of his 105th birthday celebration on July 11.
He continues to be active in Cullman community affairs and the Republican Party.
He continues to raise funds for the Wallace State Community College 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 – the sine die day
On Friday, when his family and friends sing “Happy Birthday to You,” they will add that extra line – “and many more.”
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
