Roy Drinkard of Cullman is not a former Marine. He’s not an ex-Marine.
Semper fi. He is a Marine.
And now, Drinkard is the oldest living U.S. Marine at age 104.
Drinkard led Alabama’s state senators and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday to open the final day of the 2025 legislative regular session.
Leading the pledge on any day of the session is an honor and a meaningful opening of the state’s business of the day. On the final day, the sine die day, it is a special and patriotic ceremony. Thus, Drinkard, the voice and face of Alabama’s Marines, was the appropriate patriot to lead the final day’s pledge.
When Drinkard first started Drinkard Chevrolet in Cullman, it was 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 in Falkville in Morgan County. His father had been a businessman and mayor for 20 years. The fruit does 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 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.
After Drinkard led the Pledge in the State Senate on sine die day, local Internet news site Cullman Daily said:
Cullman’s Roy Drinkard, 104, Leads Pledge of Allegiance in Alabama Senate
Today, a moment of history and hometown pride unfolded in Montgomery as 104-year-old Roy Drinkard of Cullman took center stage on the floor of the Alabama Senate. Invited by Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, Drinkard led lawmakers in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the final day of the 2025 legislative session.
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.
Even at 104, Drinkard remains active and engaged — a living testimony to hard work, faith, and an indomitable American spirit. His presence in the Senate chamber today served as a powerful reminder of the values that unite Alabamians and the legacy of those who helped build our communities.
Cullman is proud to call Roy Drinkard one of its own.
Folks who have known Roy Drinkard can tell stories that reflect the character and personality of the man. Many Drinkard stories are quite humorous.
Tomika Woods, who is now fighting cancer, took time to tell her own Roy Drinkard first encounter:
Seeing all these 104th 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?
He was a partner in Drinkard Pontiac-GMC in Cullman from May 1949 to May 1955. That year he became 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 to promote the Cullman 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 that recruited King Edward Cigar, Bendix-Westinghouse, Americold and National Screw.
In 2000, 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 to 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 Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, K-Mart, Kroger Winn-Dixie and other stores.
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 104? No. New chapters are continuing even now.
Roy Drinkard continues to live in his historic home, "the Borkenau," which he bought in 1949.
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 is now planning for his 105th birthday party on July 12, 2025.
When his family and friends sing “Happy Birthday to You,” they 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].
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