RAY FRANCIS DRUMMOND was born in Wray, Colorado on 1 January 1927 to Max E. and Lela Drummond. He finally lost his battle with cancer and is survived by his wife, Betty; by his children Paula Rae Bredewater of New Braunsfels, David Munro Drummond (named for 2LT Munro Magruder, a classmate killed in 1950 in the Korean War) of Amarillo, Texas, Deborah Jean Daniel of West Point, Georgia, Mark Edward Drummond of San Antonio, Texas; by eight grandchildren; by his mother; and by his stepmother, Tally Drummond.

Ray took West Point very much in stride. He was so friendly, frisky and fun-loving, that those who knew him well during cadet days called him "The Pup." His versatility and intelligence carried him through the Corps without the wear and tear that sometimes made cadet life difficult for others. While "the system" seemed to beat some of us down, it never dampened the free spirit of The Pup. He was good at whatever he did, whether weathering plebe storms, staying ahead of the Tacs or handling academics with ease. His natural athletic ability made him one of Company B-1's "intermurder" mainstays. His unassuming, good-natured but fine leadership won him the admiration of underclass-men and classmates alike. For many of us he was a role model because he always did whatever he set out to do so well, and so effortlessly.

Ray graduated well into the upper third of the Class of 1949. Graduation day was even more special for him as it was also his wedding day. He and Betty J. Brown were married on 7 June 1949 in the Cadet Chapel, and were destined to share more than 37 years together.

In the summer of his first class year, Ray had suffered a collapsed lung. Ultimately this kept him from becoming a commissioned officer. As he had done before and would continue to do throughout his life, he showed his resiliency by joining the Central Intelligence Agency. The services' loss was the Agency's gain. His 25-year CIA career took him, along with Betty and the family, to Germany and the Philippines, among other places. Ray served with particular distinction in the field during the Vietnam War.

Having entered the agency in September 1949 as an information analyst/editorial specialist, Ray shortly thereafter was selected to attend special intelligence training programs which subsequently led into operational support and management positions. Between 1952 and 1973, he was involved in administration and support assignments which included progressively more important responsibilities for planning and program management of activities totalling millions of dollars. He was required to justify many programs to oversight and budget review authorities both within the agency and external to it. His numerous staff responsibilities included personnel planning and administration, logistics planning and support, fiscal management and administration, and medical, security, and communications support. Several of his assignments entailed the planning and implementation of large logistical and air support to activities jointly sponsored by other U.S. government agencies, requiring detailed and extensive interagency coordination. Ray spent over eleven years of this period abroad in Europe and Asia. Also under sponsorship of the agency, he attended a management development program at Harvard Business School in 1960, and also the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and George Washington University (1967-68), receiving a master's degree in business administration. Ray spent his last few months in the Central Intelligence Agency as a special assistant to the deputy director for administration by which time he had been promoted to the grade of GS-17. He retired on 31 December 1974. He was subsequently awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit on 19 May 1975, by the then Director of Central Intelligence, Mr. William Colby.

After retiring, Ray spent the remaining years of his life enjoying his family, his abundant friendships, and the golf course.

Ray was a devoted husband and father and highly respected and dedicated civil servant. He showed compassion and concern for all. He gave himself willingly, cheerfully and with a unique courage and foresight. In the agency and in the Corps he was known as a man of men; a man of trust, a man of humor, a man of integrity, a man to be counted on day or night, a man who would stand by you and advise you to the best of his abilities, and a man of exceptional ability. He loved his country dearly. He treasured West Point and being a West Pointer. He loved his family best of all. His greatness is known to all who were fortunate to have been close to him. He will be remembered with deep affection.

A classmate. A friend.

Personal Eulogy