Tribute To Segal Drummond - One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

[Alasippi]

I'm sure many of you have heard about the passing of Segal Drummond from Jasper, Alabama.

Segal was one of the founders of Drummond Coal Company, who provided countless jobs for Walker Countians for many years.

His brother Gary Neil Drummond served on the Board of Directors at the University for many years and may still be doing so. I'm not sure.

Segal was a very hard working down to earth person. Never snooty, even with hundreds of millions in the bank.

He and his brothers have literally contributed millions upon millions to the Bama football program and the University as a whole.

Segal absolutely loved Alabama football and the University of Alabama.

My mom, still in Jasper, was one of his good friends, and they bantered back and forth about Bama football every Sunday at the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ.

Mom attended the funeral and said that, at the end of Segals casket, was the largest and most beautiful wreath she had ever seen.

She walked up to view it closely before the service began.

It was signed...."Nick and Terry Saban".

Classy gesture by our coach and his family...and a great tribute to one of the finest human beings and biggest Bama supporters I've ever known.

Roll Tide to Segal Drummond.

sip

 

[TIDEnGA]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

I graduated with one of the Drummond's (grandson maybe). Classy family and one dripping with money, but they never wanted you to know it. My thoughts go out to his family.

 

[bamabelle1991]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

I knew one of the grandson's in college. Very nice guy. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

 

[BamaMoon]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Most of the games I went to in the 1970's was courtesy of this family! Sad to hear this news.

 

[redrock]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Thanks Sip for the tribute to my dad. He was a truly passionate follower of the Tide his entire life. He, mom, and friends made all of the home games and most of the bowl games in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. My first game with dad was Alabama-Auburn at Legion field with the Snake running in the rain for the winning score over 40 years ago. That touchdown is burned into my memory.

During the 70's when it seemed as if we played for the national championship almost every year in New Orleans, the company would rent a floor at the Royal Sonesta and the fun would begin.

Dad was personal friends with Coach Bryant. Coach Bryant loved coming to Jasper and Musgrove Country Club because the Jasper crowd treated him like one of the gang and Coach felt at home and at ease in that type of environment. Coach Bryant would let his hair down a little and have his favorite libation, play some golf and gin, and basically become a Walker County boy for a few days each summer.

Dad was a great athlete playing AAA ball with the Pirates organization. Coach Bryant loved talking baseball with dad. It seemed as if everyone knew dad and had a Segal Drummond story to tell. In 1977, I took a fraternity road trip to LSU and had to collect some odd things and do some odd things. But, one task that myself and three other pledges had to do was get Charley McClendon's signature on a football. I called Coach McClendon at home and told him who my dad was. Coach immediately invited us to his home for dinner with his family. Needless to say we got the signed football and heard a few Segal stories from a great man.

Back in the 60's, 70's and 80's when dad was at the top of his game business-wise, most of the movers and shakers knew one another, respected one another, and always had time like Coach Bryant and Coach Charley Mac to spend with a teenage kid, like myself.

My dad will be missed, but he will be remembered by a lot of people. For those that knew dad, they definitely will have a Segal Drummond story to tell, with a smile on their face, and a sweet memory to carry them forward.

God Bless and Roll Tide

 

[trenda]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Sorry for your loss redrock. Great post about your father.

 

[Gr8hope]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Thank you for sharing your memories with us. May GOD bless your family at this time of loss.

 

[Tide_At_Work]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Condolences to the Drummond family and Redrock. I also am from Jasper.

 

[BamaNation]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

Thanks Sip for the tribute to my dad. He was a truly passionate follower of the Tide his entire life.

redrock - thanks for that post (and thanks to sip for starting the thread). It is memories of great men like your dad and your family that takes us back to a different era of football and life in general. May God bless your family and may you be comforted by the good memories you share.

 

[Bama Football]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

I've never really heard of him, but sad to see him go.
And that was a nice thing from the Sabans.

 

[Alasippi]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

My privilege and honor to start the thread. I thought the world of your Father.

My Dad is the late Lelton Gray and my Mom is Jackie Gray from Jasper.

And yes, I remember my Dad telling me that Segal was one of the best baseball players he ever saw.

My Mom always said he was one of the finest men she ever met and I always enjoyed talking with him.

I attended many Bama games sitting in the corporate block section that Drummond provided, and was always grateful.

The entire Drummond Coal story is an amazing one to me-How a group of hard working family members can start small and grow to the top of the business world through hard work and determination.

God Bless you in your time of sorrow.

Roll Tide.

sip

 

[ART]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

What a truly inspirational story and man!! It's stories like these of men with integrity & class that make me so proud to be a member of the BAMANATION! He is a cornerstone, along with many others, who helped build the UofA to what it is today. God Bless you RedRock and comfort you and your family during this difficult time.

Sip - As always, thanks for sharing. What a wonderful tribute!!

 

[tidefan67]

Re: Tribute To Segal Drummond-One Of Bama's Biggest Supporters Ever

My privilege and honor to start the thread. I thought the world of your Father.

My Dad is the late Lelton Gray and my Mom is Jackie Gray from Jasper.

And yes, I remember my Dad telling me that Segal was one of the best baseball players he ever saw.

My Mom always said he was one of the finest men she ever met and I always enjoyed talking with him.

I attended many Bama games sitting in the corporate block section that Drummond provided, and was always grateful.

The entire Drummond Coal story is an amazing one to me-How a group of hard working family members can start small and grow to the top of the business world through hard work and determination.

God Bless you in your time of sorrow.

Roll Tide.

sip

I have heard only good stories about the Drummond family and will remember them in my prayers.

 

[redrock]

One thing I failed to mention was that Mal Moore and Ronnie Roberstson (associate AD) came to the reception at the funeral home the night before the funeral. They were very gracious with their time with my family. Coach and Mrs. Saban sent flowers and their condolences. I say all this to stress the close knit nature of the Alabama football family. A lot of schools verbalize the "family" concept almost as an overused gimmick for recruiting. But at Alabama we live it. Our fans, alumni, players, coaches and administration have that family attitude in actions and not just in words. That is one reason Alabama is so successful, because for the most part we are all pulling on the rope in the same direction with unity in purpose. I appreciate all your kind and heart felt comments. Roll Tide.

 

[Turtle]

I had the pleasure of meeting Segal a few months ago. I was able to spend a fair amount of time with him. He was a kind, generous man who loved to talk of sports, hunting and golfing and loved playing dominoes. Although I cannot not imagine the pain that Redrock and the family feels, I am very saddened at his passing. He was a humble man. I know that he will be greatly missed. I've loved reading the sincere post about Segal, especially your stories. Redrock. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Beverly, and the entire Drummond family.

 

[PaulD]

Redrock: My condolences on the death of your father. I hope that the pain of parting is lessened by the joy of his life and your lives together.

 

[Baldbass]

Condolences and prayers to the Drummond family.

The times that I have spent in the company of a Drummond family member have always been a positive experience. They are warm, generous folk.

God Bless them all.

 

[squalor]

My condolences redrock.
I'm a security guard at a resort where your family owns a condo. Many other people from Jasper own here too.
I just wanted to add that someone else from Jasper passed away recently, a former school teacher named Sue Hearn. Maybe someone here remembers her. I will never forget her, she always brightened my day and I miss her.