Donald Dwight Drinkard's Obituary
Donald Dwight Drinkard, Sr., age 76, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2024. Dwight was born on March 15, 1948 to the late Donald and Helen Drinkard in Kansas City, MO and became a Memphian when his family moved in 1953.
In his youth, Dwight was active in Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow distinction. He was a proud graduate of Memphis University School, Class of 1966, where he established life-long friendships. After MUS, he matriculated at Vanderbilt University, where he earned his BA in 1970 and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Furthering his education, Dwight received his MBA from Georgia State University at night while working full-time during the day.
In 1977, a blind date was arranged for him at the Masters Golf Tournament where he met the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Thweatt, of Nashville, TN. They were married five months after their first date and had a 39 year marriage that was filled with incredible love, admiration, laughter and joy, until Peggy’s death in 2016. Their loving union produced a son, Donald D. Drinkard, Jr and daughter, Kathryn D. Howell.
He spent most of his business career in the production of major area sporting events. He was named the first full-time Tournament Director for what was known as the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 1986, where helped oversee the planning and implementation of the tournament’s move from Colonial Country Club to TPC Southwind. In his 13 years at the FESJC, the golf tournament achieved record profits as well as record donations to St. Jude in 11 of those years. Dwight was honored to serve as a 10-year member of the Board of PGA Tour Tournaments Association, along with two terms as President of that national association.
In 2000, Dwight was hired by ALSAC/St. Jude as Director of Sports Marketing, where he was involved with resurrecting the Memphis Marathon and, with the Memphis Runners Track Club, helped to grow that event from around 800 runners in 2000 to over 16,000 participants in 2011 when he retired. He came out of “retirement” in 2022 to help revive the Overton Park Junior Open golf tournament and was proud to be able to conclude a successful 2024 edition of this event prior to his recent illness and hospitalization.
Dwight was involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including serving on the Board of the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee and Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation. He was a member of the 100 Club, former President of the MUS Alumni Association, and a graduate of the Leadership Memphis Program.
His passions were his family, friends, golf, and any activity on or near the water. Dwight was a member of the Memphis Country Club and enjoyed cheering for the Memphis Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores. Lovingly called “Pops” by his grandchildren, his greatest joy in recent years was being their biggest fan and cheerleader by never missing any of their sporting events, plays, recitals, or ceremonies.
Dwight is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Judy Kern, and his best friend, wife Peggy. Survivors are children Donald D. Drinkard, Jr. (Helen) and Kathryn D. Howell (Matt), all of Memphis, along with grandchildren Dewey & Freddy Drinkard and Zoe Kate & Reid Howell.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 10, 2024 in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church, with visitation prior to the service at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests directing generosity to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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