Donald Ward Drennen Jr., age 77, a descendant of one of Birmingham's earliest families, passed away on March 4, 2011 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Lyn Drennen Cosby (Randy) of Atlanta, Ward Drennen (Beth), and Laurie Drennen Fuentes (Eddy); and his grandchildren, Cayla, Matthew, Emily and Mitchell Drennen and Rob and Will Cosby. He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Moore Provost Drennen; his father, Donald Ward Drennen Sr.; and his sisters, Evelyn Drennen Williams, Katherine Drennen Vogtle, and Margaret Drennen Blair.
Don was a graduate of Lakeview Grammar, Ramsay High School and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he played varsity tennis, served as Regimental Captain, and graduated as a Distinguished Military Student. After graduating from VMI, he served as a First Lieutenant U.S. Army Artillery Officer from 1954-1956.
He started his lifelong automobile career with Don Drennan Motor Company in 1956 in Ensley, AL with his father, and in 1973 moved it to its present location in Hoover, AL. His son, Ward, joined him at the dealership in 1993. Last year Don was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Birmingham Automobile Dealers Association. He considered the dealership employees his extended family.
He served as Scout Master for Troop 28 and was a past president of the Ensley Kiwanis Club. He met his wonderful wife at Southside Baptist Church and raised his three children at Brookwood Baptist Church where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He followed in his father's footsteps as a lover of nature and supporter of wildlife conservation efforts. For many years, he served as Alabama President of Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed the friends he met through his hobbies including quail and duck hunting, shooting sporting clays, and fishing. He also enjoyed connecting with friends at Shades Valley Rotary meetings every week.
Don was most proud of his 48 year marriage to Carolyn, his three children, and his six exceptional grandchildren. His mentoring ways and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation will be held at Ridout's Valley Chapel from 6-8 pm Monday, March 7. A private family burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery followed by a memorial service at Brookwood Baptist Church at 2pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to UAB Interstitial Lung Disease Program Research, Office of VP Development, Alumni and External Relations, FOT-1230, 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3412
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