Mr. James Drummond "Drum" Murray III
Mr. James Drummond "Drum" Murray III
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Born in Niagara Falls, NY, a son of the late James Drummond Jr. and Jean Carver Murray, Drum spent the early part of his life in Lewiston, NY. He obtained his Master of Education from the University of South Carolina. Drum and his family lived in Perry, OH, before making Aiken, SC, home in 1992.
He proudly and with honor served his country in the United States Army, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. As a Drill Sergeant, he trained many women and men to become soldiers. For his meritorious service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and Expert Weapons Qualifications Badge.
Drum retired from the Savannah River Site, where he was an Emergency Planner in the Hazmat Division. He was formerly a volunteer Firefighter with Couchton Fire and Rescue and a member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Drum enjoyed participating in the Scottish Highland Games as an athlete and for many years after a judge for the athletic competitions. He enjoyed shooting ranges, was a prolific reader, rooting for the Buffalo Bills and Montreal Canadians, watching F1 racing, and studying World War II history.
Along with his wife, Vickie, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Stephanie (Doug) McDowell, Jennifer (Timothy) Beak and United States Army Major James Drummond (Ashley) Murray IV, and his grandchildren, Micah McDowell, Natalie McDowell, Preston Beak, Adrien Beak, Margo Murray, JD Murray V, Drew Murray and Ethan Murray.
In addition to his parents, Drum was preceded in death by a brother, Cameron Murray, and a grandson, Benjamin Murray.
SSG Murray will be interred in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC, on a date and time to be announced. A United States Army Honor Guard will render veterans' honors.
His favorite prayer is a Scottish Prayer: Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us; so be quick to love, and make haste to be kind. AMEN.
Drum was a kind, caring, and giving man. He firmly believed in charity and gave to many organizations and individuals in need. Therefore, the family has asked that memorials in memory of Drum be given to the charity of the donor's choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. James Drummond, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Peggy (IdgjyAnne) Rickard
April 27, 2025
Vickie, Steph, Jenni & JD, and their families,
Please accept my most profound sorrow at the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. His absence has created a gigantic void that can only be filled with magnificent memories of a man with many talents, friends, and interests. Drum was unique-bright, light-hearted, quick to laugh, and always willing to engage in deep philosophical dialogues.
I met Drum in 1988 or 1989 while employed with the Lake County (Ohio) Chapter of the American Red Cross. Drum worked with local agencies to ensure preparedness during a critical event at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. Working tirelessly, Drum helped many responders excel in their abilities to address incidents at the power plant, ensuring the incident did not escalate to a full-scale tri-county evacuation plan. He was a valuable leader and an enthusiastic instructor who brought rapid growth to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center.
Through Drum´s encouragement, I grew as a Red Cross responder for the county, as the liaison to the county commissioners, and as I attended classes at the FEMA institute in Emmitsburg, MD. I would not have had those opportunities or growth without Drummond's guidance. He saw more potential in me than I had seen in myself.
Drum frequently shared events of his family life with Vickie and the growing children. He was a proud papa, became a bragging grandpa, and was a firmly devoted husband, all branches of the solid roots of his existence. I know you will forever miss his love, devotion, wit, and guidance. Death might have taken Drum, but death can´t take away the memories of the cherished times you shared.
I will miss him dearly and remember him always. RIP, dear friend.
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