Gary Drinnen

It is with many happy memories and great sadness that the family and friends of Dr. Gary L. Drinnen announce his peaceful passing on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Gary was a man who made everyone he met feel special, often through his trademark good-natured teasing and infectious sense of humor. He always had a joke to tell and there was laughter in every room he occupied. He loved people and people loved him. To his nieces and nephews, coworkers and students, he was a beloved father figure and mentor. As one neighbor recently lamented, "Gary was truly the glue that held us all together."

Gary graduated from Central High School in 1953 and enrolled at The University of Tennessee. After 1 year of schooling, he changed course and enlisted in The United States Army, where he proudly served our nation for 2 years, and met and married the love of his life, Billie Shealy. After the Army, Gary decided to go back to school at Carson Newman and graduated in 1962. Upon graduation, he found his true purpose in life as an educator, coach and servant-leader. Gary began his career as a teacher and coach at Harrisburg High School before taking a position as a teacher, football coach and the inaugural track coach at Central Cabarrus High School from 1966-1974. Proving he could take teasing as good as he could give, his students often affectionally referred to him as Coach Gary "Chrome Dome" Drinnen, due to his trademark bald head. As he began furthering his education, he was promoted and served 1 year as principal at both Bethel Elementary, and then Mt. Pleasant High School. After earning his Doctor of Education degree from Duke University in 1982, he was named Principal of Central Cabarrus High School, where he served for 9 years, retiring in 1991. He was a student and faculty favorite because he sincerely cared about and knew each of them. Gary's professional legacy and outstanding career were recognized in 2016, by the North Cabarrus County Board of Education with the naming of the Dr. Gary Drinnen Field House in his honor.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gary was always thinking of others. He showed love through gifts and service and enjoyed hand painting personalized nautical signs for hundreds of people- family, neighbors, fellow teachers, former players, acquaintances, friends, and friends of friends. These signs will forever be tangible reminders of his love and thoughtfulness in homes across so many communities.

Gary was born on July 17, 1935, to Dr. Tom and Fern Drinnen. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Billie in 2017; his parents; his brother, Dr. Tom Drinnen; half-brother, Jimmy Bittle and lifelong friend, Walt Burr.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Dr. Dan (Sue) Drinnen; his sister-in-laws, Mrs. Anita Drinnen and Mrs. Sharon Bittle; his nieces and nephews, Susan, Tommy, Vickie, Valerie, Danny, Missy, Lane, Matt, Sean and Lindsey, and a dear cousin Becky Cooper Shaffer; lifelong friend, Gordon Thomas, and sweet Maggie, all of whom will miss Gary greatly. The family also wishes to express deep gratitude to Ann Burr and her children, Betsy Biggers and Ben Burr, who were cherished and loved as family by Gary and Billie throughout their lives. The family would like to offer special gratitude to Betsy, who served Gary daily in the last weeks, and lovingly walked him home.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 4, at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Rev. Neal Carter officiating. The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord, NC 28027.