James Robert Drinnon Sr.

James Robert Drinnon, Sr. - SAVANNAH - James Robert Drinnon, Sr., passed away on May 28, 2008 in Savannah, Georgia. He was born on August 5, 1915 in Macon, Georgia. Mr. Drinnon was a 1933 graduate of Lanier High School in Macon. As a Young man he worked for the Macon Telegraph and News, the National Cash Register Company in Macon and played guitar with the Mercer Dance Band, touring the southeast. He enlisted in the Georgia National Guard in the summer of 1941. After basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., he attended OCS and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1942. A World War II veteran he served in the Pacific Theater, serving as a Signal Corps Officer based in Hawaii. He was a member of the invading forces of Saipan. Mr. Drinnon met his wife, Mildred Sumiko Sakamoto Drinnon, while serving in Hawaii. They were married from July 25, 1944 until her death in 1992. After a short reenlistment during the Korean War with duty at Forts Dix and Monmouth in New Jersey, Mr. Drinnon worked as an electronics Technician at Warner Robbins Air Force Base until his retirement in 1971. He and his wife enjoyed many years of retirement in Florida before his moving to Savannah. As a young boy fascinated with the new technology which was radio, he built his own crystal set. At the age of 15 in 1931 he received his ham license. His call letters W4AUU attests to his being a pioneer in this field. He remained an avid ham radio operator until his last years, contacting and making friends all over the world. Mr. Drinnon is survived by his daughter, Susan D. Morris (Matthew), of Oxford, Georgia; and son, James R Drinnon, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Savannah. He had eight brothers and sisters. The surviving sisters are Nell Drinnon, Celia Amerson, Virginia Williams, Dorothy Drinnon, and Martha Helen Walden all from Macon. His only surviving brother is Everett Drinnon, also of Macon. He has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 51 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday June 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Fairhaven Funeral Home & Crematory 3794 W. US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408 912-964-2862 gafhn@keymemories.net Savannah Morning News June 6, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .