Charles Drury Sr., 1927-2020

Charles Drury Sr., a founder of Drury Hotels and a trustee emeritus at Saint Louis University, died Sept 7, 2020. He was 92.

Mr. Drury was a member of SLU’s Board of Trustees from 1995-2007. His daughter Jacqueline Drury Pollvogt (’85, ’88) is a current member of the Board. Mr. Drury and his spouse, Shirley, received honorary degrees from the University in 2008 in recognition of their many contributions to SLU and for their exemplary service to Catholic education throughout Missouri. 

The Drurys’ generous support of SLU over the years included a major gift for Chaifetz Arena, where the Drury Rally Plaza is named in their honor. They also founded the Charles and Shirley Drury Scholarship fund for students with financial need. They gave generously to other SLU causes as well, including research, patient care and medical education. 

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire SLU community are with the Drury family during this difficult time,” said University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. “Mr.  Drury was deeply devoted to his faith and was a strong supporter of Catholic education. The breadth of the Drurys’ engagement in our University and their substantial philanthropic support has had a significant impact on SLU and its mission.” 

Mr. Drury was born in 1927 and was raised on a farm in the Missouri Bootheel town of Kelso. Mr. Drury and his brothers opened the first Drury hotel in 1973 in Sikeston, Missouri. Today, there are more than 150 Drury hotels across 25 states. The business, which employs more than 5,000 people, remains fully family owned and operated. 

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson noted on Facebook that Mr. Drury “was a man of God and always noted that his faith and family shaped his success in business decisions,” adding that he was “a champion for Missouri and will be missed by many.” 

Mr. Drury is survived by his wife Shirley Drury, seven children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A private family funeral Mass was held at the Basilica of St. Louis (Old Cathedral) with burial in St. Augustine Church Cemetery in Kelso. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Katie Tanner Memorial Scholarship Fund, 265 Notre Dame Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701, or the Rural Parish Clinic Endowment Fund at the Roman Catholic Foundation, 425 N. New Ballas Rd., Suite 200, St. Louis, MO, 63141.