Heaven gained a new resident. Herman Lester Drinkard died surrounded by his children on Friday, August 7, 2015. He was 91. Visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, and funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Heartland Funeral Home in Early with Mike Drinkard officiating. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park in Early.
Herman was born March 24, 1924, in May, Texas, to Jerry and Ada Lee Drinkard. He had four brothers and one sister. He graduated from Bangs High School in 1942
Herman enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 5, 1942. He served as a Gunner’s Mate First Class on the aircraft carrier the USS Tripoli during WWII. His ship patrolled the south Atlantic Ocean from Recife, Brazil, to Cape Town, South Africa, before being sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on January 25, 1946. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal and a ribbon for Atlantic Service.
On November 13, 1945, Herman married the love of his life Edwena Smith Drinkard in Brownwood. They lived in Brownwood, Fort Worth, Odessa and Gardendale and had three children. They were married for 64 years and he was a faithful and loving husband and father.
Herman was a manager at Blackhawk Electrical Supply Company in Midland for 27 years. After retirement, Herman and Edwena were called to do mission work for Campers on Mission. He was a member of Bois d’Arc Baptist Church.
Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Edwena Drinkard; parents, Jerry and Ada Lee Drinkard of Odessa; sister Wanda Faye Drinkard of Brownwood; and brothers, Preston Drinkard, Von Dell Drinkard and Jerry Drinkard.
He is survived by sons, Mike Drinkard and wife Edwana of Palestine, Rob Drinkard and wife Melody of Gardendale; daughter, Deanna Smith and husband Luke of Gainesville; brother, Wendell Drinkard and wife Judy of Odessa; sisters-in-law, Barbara Drinkard of Odessa, Molly Sears and Sammie Chambers of Brownwood, Renza Smith of Canyon Lake; eight grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Todd Drinkard, Randy Drinkard, Stephen Drinkard, Thomas Drinkard, Mason Drinkard, Christian Drinkard, David Plunk, Riley Higgins, Edward Wolff and Jon Vanderlaan.
Services entrusted to Heartland Funeral Home of Early.
Online condolences may be left for the family www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
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