Claud H. Drinnen Iii

Claud H. Drinnen III was born on February 10, 1948 to Margaret M. and Claud H. Drinnen II in Salt Lake City, Utah. The eldest of four sons, Claud assumed the role of the stern, fiercely loyal protector and leader of his younger brothers after their father's passing in June of 1963. After living in Laon, France, for four years and returning to the United States, he went to Price College in Amarillo, Texas for high school before moving on to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. There he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, followed by his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Texas Tech School of Law in 1973. After law school, his natural leadership qualities would serve him well during his time with the United States Army, where he served as a Captain in the JAG Corp, finding himself stationed in Korea, at the Pentagon, and in White Sands, New Mexico. After a distinguished military career, Claud went to work for Phillips Petroleum writing oil and gas contracts, ultimately advancing to a Vice President position. After moving back to Amarillo, he served as the Deputy City Attorney for 23 years. He was a member of AA for 29 years, making a positive impact on hundreds of other AA members during that time. It was at an AA meeting that he met, fell in love with, and married Mary, his wife of 23 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret M. and Claud H. Drinnen II; his brothers, David Lee Drinnen and Daniel Andrew Drinnen; and by his first wife, Deborah Drinnen. Claud is survived by his wife, Mary Drinnen; children, Shaun Drinnen and wife Annette of Andover, KS, Shannon Drinnen, Rob Newberry and Tracey Stone all of Amarillo, and Christopher Newberry and wife Samantha of Mesa, AZ. His grandchildren, Nick, Cole, Kyle, Cierra and Ryan; brother Tom Drinnen and wife LeAnn of Flower Mound, TX; nieces and nephews, Thomas, Daniel, Casey, Derik, and Tiffany; and mother to his grandson Nick, Lynn Robertson of Dallas, TX. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bruce Burney, David Richardson, Tommy O'Quin, Larry Harrison, Bryan McWilliams and Sysavath "C.C." Sysombath.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Life First Baptist Church Sanctuary 1208 S. Tyler Amarillo, TX 79101 Friday, July 08, 2016 2:00 pm

Memorial Contributions

Grandpa Nana College Fund 7011 Benwood Amarillo, TX 79109