Thomas “Tom” Clyde Drummond, age 81, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away on March 21, 2023, at his residence.
Tom was born on April 5, 1941, to the late Thomas “T.J.” Jefferson Drummond and Vivian Irene Kellett Drummond Bryant in Trion, Ga. Tom was raised on Kellett Hill in the Summerville area and graduated from Summerville High School in 1959. He was an elite athlete and excelled in basketball, baseball and football at SHS. After graduation, he married Lola Bowers and moved to Statesboro, Ga., where they began a family and he began studying Recreation at Georgia Southern University. After graduating from GSU in 1964 with a degree in Recreation, Tom began working as program director at Dalton Parks & Recreation, kickstarting a 33-year career in the field. He worked for the State of Georgia and was also a director in Carrollton, Ga. He later became the director of Clayton County Parks & Recreation. Tom was instrumental in starting many recreational programs all over the state of Georgia. After retiring at the age of 51, Tom moved to Jekyll Island, Ga., where he enjoyed sailing, playing golf, tennis and restoring classic cars. Tom moved back to his hometown of Summerville in 2016, due to declining health and to be near family.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Edward R. Bryant and stepmother, Lillian E. Drummond.
He is survived by his four children, Kelli (Tim) Winters, Kit (Randy) Willingham, Matt (Shelley) Drummond, Laine Drummond; grandchildren: Josh (Emily) Hurley, Lacey (Willys) Hames, Leslie (Blake) Gazaway, Jessie (Kyle) Shepard, Emily Green (Justin Smith), Wil (Alyssa) Drummond, Cal Drummond; 10 great-grandchildren; One great-great-grandchild; former wife and mother of his children, Lola Bedford; Uncle, Gordon Kellett; special cousin, Jamie Frady and a host of special, life-long friends.
A Memorial Service for Mr. Drummond will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at 290 Woodhaven Drive, Summerville, Georgia.