The Shadow
James Courtney “Jim” Drewry, Sr., age 88, of Clifton Forge, Virginia died Thursday, November 28, 2019 at his residence, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born August 9, 1931 in Clifton Forge, Virginia to the late Ralph L. and Bessie McMullan Drewry.
He was a 1950 graduate of Clifton Forge High School and received three years of education at the University of Virginia School of Finance and the American Institute of Banking Management.
He retired from banking after 41 years, moving up from Teller to Executive Vice President starting at the First Federal Savings & Loan then Mountain National Bank, and finally retiring from Crestar.
He proudly served in the United States Navy with the Atlantic Mine Force, from 1952 to 1956, aboard two mine sweepers, the U.S.S. Ostrich AMS 29 and the U.S.S. Hornbill MSC(O) 19, then served for ten years, from 1956 to 1966, in the United States Naval Reserves with the Mobilization Team as a Boatswains Mate 2nd Class.
Jim was a life-long member of the Central United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Clifton Forge Elks Lodge as well as the Clifton Forge Lions Club, which he joined in 1966 where he maintained perfect attendance for 53 years. He enjoyed his daily Coffee Club with friends, discussing all the goings on of his beloved hometown.
He served as a board member for various corporations around town including the CF Industrial Development Authority, Clifton Forge Development Corporation and Scott Hill Retirement Home. He loved going to auctions, cooking, piddling, shopping and talking to anybody about just about anything.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Nicely Drewry; two brothers, Richard “Dick” Drewry and Robert Michael “Rob” Drewry; and a sister, Betty Drewry.
He is survived by two sons, James C. “Jimmy” Drewry, Jr. of Clifton Forge and Richard M. “Rick” Drewry of Virginia Beach, a daughter, Anne Drewry Tomlin (Jerry) of Virginia Beach; a sister, Barbara Ann Buckner of Cocoa Fl; four grandchildren, Courtney Drewry, Katie Tomlin, Jarod Tomlin, Sophie Tomlin, and; a great grandson, Xzavier; nieces and nephews, Suzanne McGehee, Steve Drewry (Tammy), Sharon Bowden Harrison (Steve), David Buckner (Pam), Leigh Ann Buckner DeTato (Joe), Michael Drewry, Kathryn Drewry Leisure (Charles), Karen Drewry Shelton; many great nieces and nephews; and his special friend of thirteen years, Jeannie Craft.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM in Central United Methodist Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Lynn Wright officiating.
Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge, followed by lunch back at the church.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to CF Central United Methodist Church, Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To send condolences to the family, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
