Stephen Edward Drummond

Stephen E. Drummond, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 23, 2013, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born on January 15, 1931, in Spelter, West Virginia, to the late General Shafter and Ruby Drummond, he was one of four boys. Steve graduated from Victory High School in Clarksburg, WV and married Natalie Dodd, his childhood sweetheart, who was born on the same day and preceded him in death in 2009. They were married for 58 wonderful years and raised two children, who with their families cherish his memory: daughter Ricki Morris and her husband, Mike of Tijeras, NM; granddaughter Tara and her husband John Garr, and great-grandsons Jackson and Stephen of Colleyville, TX; son Jeff and his wife Sharon Drummond, and grandsons Joshua, Andrew, and David of Pickerington, OH. Steve is also survived by his wife Ann, his "Yellow Rose of Texas," with whom he cherished the last two years of his life; and family in the Clarksburg, WV area: brother Shafter (Brud) and wife Caron; sister-in-law Matilda Drummond; sister-in-law Jill and her husband Bud Vernon; brother-in-law Rocky and his wife Kathy Dodd; brother-in-law Jody Dodd; and numerous nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his brothers Bob and Gene Drummond. Steve was a proud Marine, serving in the Korean War (POW), and earning the Purple Heart. He received the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal from South Korea in 2003. After the war, Steve went to college on the G.I. Bill, earning a Bachelor's Degree from Fairmont State University and a Master's Degree from Miami University of Ohio. Steve enjoyed a career in education for over twenty years, and positively affected the lives of many children, teachers, and parents. He first worked as a teacher and coach in Gettysburg, OH; served as principal in Amesville, OH; then moved to Groveport, OH, for the remainder of his career. Steve was the principal of Asbury Elementary (his favorite job), and then became the assistant superintendent in charge of personnel. After retirement, Steve enjoyed traveling to sunnier places, "making memories" with his granddaughter and grandsons, and creating and selling his craft invention, Tara-Lite, for which he received a design patent. Steve and Natalie lived for a few years in Orlando, FL, where they loved visiting EPCOT, before settling in Albuquerque in 1995. Steve was a founding resident of Paloma Landing and a friend to all. His persistence through challenges and adversity and his positive and caring attitude reflected the core values of his Christian beliefs-faith, hope, and love. A memorial service will be held in Albuquerque on Saturday, November 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo de Norte Boulevard N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87122. In Steve's memory, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.