Alabama Coal Pioneer Dies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – The chairman and chief executive of the Birmingham-based Drummond Co. Inc., Garry Neil Drummond, has died.

A statement issued by the coal company says Drummond died Wednesday in Birmingham. He was 78.

The cause of death wasn’t disclosed.

Drummond’s father began Drummond Coal in Sipsey in 1935, and Garry Drummond began working in the mines in Walker County at age 15. He was named CEO in 1973 and had held the position ever since.

Today, the family-owned Drummond has coal mines in Alabama and South America. It operates ABC Coke and a real estate division with developments in Alabama, California and Florida.

Drummond also was a longtime trustee of the University of Alabama.

Drummond is survived by his wife Peggy Drummond and four children.