John W. Drummond

John Willie Drummond (September 29, 1919 – September 3, 2016) was an American politician. He was a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, who represented the 10th District from 1966 through 2008. He was also a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1965 through 1966.

John W. Drummond
Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 10th district
In office
1966–2008
Personal details
Born(1919-09-29)September 29, 1919
Greenwood, South Carolina
DiedSeptember 3, 2016(2016-09-03) (aged 96)
Ninety Six, South Carolina
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHolly Self (m. 1947, d. 1999)
ProfessionPresident, Drummond Oil

Early life and military service

One of seven children of James William and Fannie Smith Drummond, John Drummond was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, though at some point the family moved to Ninety Six, South Carolina.

In World War II, Drummond held the rank of captain and piloted a P-47D Thunderbolt with the nose art "Raid Hot Mama" 405th Fighter Group. He was shot down over in 1944 near Giéville, France. During his time of service Drummond received the Decorated Distinguished Flying Cross, two Purple Hearts, nine Air Medals, and three Battle Stars.[1]

After the war he returned to Ninety Six and married Holly Self. They had three children: John H. "Brick," and twins Richard S. "Dick," and Robert S. "Bob."[2] He initially sold doughnuts at Golden Rings before he started Drummond Oil, an oil distribution business.[2]

Political career and death

Drummond was elected as a Democrat to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1965. In 1966, he was elected to the South Carolina Senate where he would serve until his retirement in 2008, representing Senate District 10 which included the counties of Abbeville, Greenwood, and Laurens.[1]

During his service he served on numerous committees, including as committee chairman for Ethics, Labor, Commerce, and Industry; Game and Forestry; and the Finance committees.[3] From 1996 to 2001, Drummond served as the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. In 2001, the newly-minted Republican senate majority changed the body's rules regarding chairmanships and Hugh Leatherman replaced Drummond as chairman of the finance committee.[4] Drummond helped preside over efforts by the Senate to remove the Confederate Flag from the State House grounds.[2]

Drummond died on September 3, 2016.[5]

References
  1. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  2. LeBlanc, Clif; Wilks, Avery (September 4, 2016). "SC Sen. John Drummond remembered as statesman, patriot of bygone era". The State. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  3. Dominguez, Damian (September 4, 2016). "In hometown, Drummond eulogized as 'great friend and mentor'". The State. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  4. Wilks, Avery G.; Hobbs, Stephen (April 8, 2020). "How Hugh Leatherman took control of South Carolina's budget and built a political empire". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  5. Senator John Drummond dies at 96
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