A.J. DRINKWATER JR.

A.J. "Buck" Drinkwater Jr., 97, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2001, at his residence in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 28, 1903, in Charleston, to the late A.J. and Grace Drinkwater Sr.

Prior to moving to Cape Girardeau in 1993, he had lived in Charleston, where he was a prominent farmer and landowner. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, where he served on the stewardship board.

Drinkwater attended Western Military Academy and graduated from Charleston High School in 1921.

Fondly known as "Mr. Buck" to many, he served his community in many capacities, having been elected to serve as Mississippi County court judge from 1947-54, city council member from 1957-62, and was mayor of Charleston from 1959-60.

He was a member of Levee Board 3, a charter appointee to Missouri Academy of Squires, served as honorary colonel for Gov. Warren E. Hearnes, and as chairman of innumerable community fund-raising drives including the United Way and March of Dimes.

The Boy Scout organization benefited greatly from his dedication where he had served in numerous positions from local scoutmaster to president of Southeast Missouri Council, including service as an adviser to the Order of the Arrow and national council representative.

Drinkwater had been honored as a recipient of the Boys Scouts Silver Beaver Award and was the first recipient of the Charleston Lions Club Man of the Year Award in 1966. He was member emeritus of the Brewer's Lake Clubhouse and a former member of the Big Lake Hunting Club.

On July 11, 1925, he married Grace Whitehead, who preceded him in death Sept. 22, 1977.

Surviving is a son, Lester Whitehead Goodin of Cape Girardeau, son of Virginia Whitehead Goodin Ridings of Charleston and the late A. Vernon Goodin. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Tim, Julie, Matt and Dee; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and T.J.; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Three sisters, Vivian Wyatt, Virginia Thompson, and Dorothy Drake, preceded him in death.

Friends may call after 9:30 a.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston until the funeral hour at 11 a.m. The Rev. Ed Hankinson, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate, with Glenn Ault of Charleston offering the eulogy. Burial will follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be J.W. Lindsay Goodin, Al Goodin, John Ficklin Drinkwater Cervantes, Tristan O. Goodin, James H. "Bud" Bone, and Harry Finley Goodin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council, o/o Bennie Bruenderman, P.O. Box 130, Charleston, Mo., 63834.