REMEMBERING ROY DRINKARD

On 2026-09-22, Senator Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING ROY DRINKARD" in the Senate.

REMEMBERING ROY DRINKARD

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 150 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 150 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4852-S4853] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ REMEMBERING ROY DRINKARD Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, today I rise to remember the incredibly full and long life of Mr. Roy Drinkard, an Alabama and American legend. Throughout his 106 years on Earth, Roy's joy, kindness, and drive touched the lives of so many. His dedication to business strengthened our communities, especially his home of Cullman; his military service inspired many Americans across our Nation; and his love for others impacted all who had the honor of knowing him. A native of Falkville, AL, Roy grew up with three brothers and two sisters, all of whom learned the importance of hard work, public service, and a strong love for their community. Roy's father was a notable businessman who also served as the mayor of Falkville. Roy's own passion for business started from a young age when he began delivering newspapers at age 9. He attended St. Bernard Preparatory School and later graduated from Gumpton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. After his graduation, Roy served as a private first class for the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Roy was incredibly proud of his service to our country, and at the time of his death, he was the oldest living marine in the United States. His bravery, perseverance, and love for our Nation were driving forces behind his exceptional military service. Though his service was just the beginning of his career, Roy was a marine until his final breath; honorable, courageous, and committed. After his time in the Marines, Roy began working at the family funeral services business. He was a trained funeral director and mortician, and under his family's leadership, the business grew precipitously, serving families all across north Alabama. During the most difficult moments of someone's life, Roy lent a helping hand, a listening ear, and a space to grieve. It takes a special person to work in the funeral industry, and Roy was certainly that. His compassion and guidance brought consolation to so many. When Roy returned to Cullman, he purchased the historic Cullman home, the Borkenau. It became the backdrop to so many occasions, from family reunions to business meetings to holiday parties. In Cullman, Roy began working in the auto industry, operating the Drinkard Chevrolet Company dealership from 1955 until 1974. For Roy, car sales were never about the cars; they were about the people he met, the deals he created, and the problems he solved. Using his passion for people and business, Roy began Drinkard Development, a commercial real estate management company. Drinkard Development's early projects included Cullman's Town Square Shopping Center and King Edward Shopping Center. Soon, the business expanded into neighboring counties and even beyond Alabama into Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and more. Soon, Roy and his partners became leading developers in the Nation, working as head developers for Kmart in 1981 and for Kroger in 1982. He worked with numerous prominent retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and AMC Theatres. After becoming an approved developer for the General Services Administration, he also helped to develop government facilities throughout the Southeast region. Through it all, Roy viewed Drinkard Development as more than just a job; it was a calling and one that gave him an even larger family. Roy's devotion to his Cullman community extended far beyond Drinkard Development. Roy was among the original members of the Flying Fifty, business and civic leaders known for traveling throughout the country to attract new industry and investment to the area. He devoted nearly three decades to leading the Cullman Industrial Development Board and held numerous other local leadership positions, including president of the Cullman County Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Cullman Planning Commission. His work helped create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and shape the community he loved. His commitment to service was also evident through his nearly 84 years as a Freemason and through his longtime membership in First Baptist Church of Cullman. Expanding access to education was another cornerstone of Roy's public service. He served as a director of what is now Wallace State Community College and later chaired the Wallace State Foundation, helping expand opportunities for students through scholarships, donating land, and other initiatives. In 2000, then-Governor Don Siegelman appointed Roy to the Troy University Board of Trustees, beginning more than 25 years of service to a university he loved deeply. He remained devoted to Troy, its students and leaders, and its football program, continuing to serve on the board even through his 100th birthday. Yet the accomplishments that filled Roy's resume never overshadowed what mattered most to him: family and friendship. He treasured fishing trips with his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, annual gatherings at Buck Island, visits to New Orleans, weekly ``Pawpaw's Night,'' and countless conversations around a fire or on a porch. He kept up with the milestones of his great-grandchildren, celebrated their accomplishments, and was never [[Page S4853]] too busy for a phone call or a story. At age 100, he even joined his great-grandson Julius's fraternity, another reminder of his curiosity, humor, and determination to remain connected to the generations that followed him. Roy often summed up the wisdom of his 106 years with the simple command from the Gospel of John: to love one another. That principle captured the heart of a man who measured his life not only by the businesses he built, the communities he strengthened, and the institutions he served, but most importantly by the people he loved and the relationships he carried with him across generations. He leaves behind his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great- great-granddaughter, along with countless relatives, friends, colleagues, and members of his Drinkard Development family. Roy Drinkard's extraordinary life was marked by more than a century of accomplishments; his most profound impact is reflected in the remarkable number of people who knew and loved him. I am incredibly proud to honor the incredible life of Mr. Roy Drinkard, whose life serves as a reminder to greet each day with joy, love, and humor. His legacy and service to our great Nation will live on in Cullman, across our great State of Alabama, and throughout his family, friends, and colleagues. ____________________