Joseph Lehman Drummond, 94, passed away peacefully on March 4 at his home in Highlands, North Carolina, with his wife by his side.
He was born to parents Irene O'Neal and John Lehman Drummond of Sipsey, a small community near Jasper, Alabama. Among his relatives were maternal grandparents, Molly Jones and Joel Harrison O'Neal, and paternal grandparents, Ada and Dr. Isaac Freeman Drummond, all of Sipsey.
Joe's Alma Mater was The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He studied art with Richard Brough, a well-known watercolorist and distinguished teacher, who combined his teaching with a successful career as a commercial artist and graphic designer. Joe never tired of rooting for the Crimson Tide. During the Korean Conflict, Joe served in the Army as a cryptographer while stationed in Hokkaido, Japan.
His career centered around commercial art as it applied to advertising. It began in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked for Chrysler Engines at Red Stone Arsenal. In 1971 he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, working for companies such as Art Service and The Alphabet Group that provided all services that an advertising agency might need.
His primary client was the Export Division of the Coca-Cola Company. In that role, he created calendars and points of sale pieces for the company to use internationally. Perhaps his most interesting project occurred in 1972 when President Nixon visited the People's Republic of China after 25 years of no communication or diplomatic ties between the two countries. Joe's assignment was to create a robot that would accompany the president. And, of course, the robot needed a passport. For that task, he called The U.S. Department of State to determine exactly how closely this passport could resemble a real one before becoming a forgery!
After his retirement, Joe served as a Docent for the Atlanta Botanical Garden. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and a Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer for Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
He was married to Pamela Johnson Drummond of Athens, Tennessee. They enjoyed reading, traveling, music and cooking. He began his favorite hobby when he was 11 years old. And he would rather have been in the kitchen than anywhere else. For the first 25 years of their marriage, they cooked with two other couples and good friends, Jill and Ernest (Woody) DeLong and Barbara and Chris Gellner.
Mr. Drummond is survived by his wife; his sister-in-law, Deborah Johnson Hamilton (Thomas) of Athens, Tennessee; niece, Perrin Spigener Marchionne (Arnaldo Cesare); great nieces, Liana Elizabeth Marchionne and Mary Adrienne Marchionne of Kirkwood, Missouri; and a nephew, Alan Johnson Hamilton of Bassett, Nebraska.
A celebration of his life was held at a private Memorial Service with Communion earlier in March with The Reverend Doctor Diane Cox McPhail officiating.
Joe will be remembered as a curious and vibrant man with integrity, dignity and courage, whose smile could light up a room. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 474, Memphis, TN 38101-9958 or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com
Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Drummond family.
Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory, Franklin, North Carolina; 1-828-524-2411
