Background
III, Thomas Drake Samford, was born on March 4, 1934 in Opelika, Alabama, United States.
III, Thomas Drake Samford, was born on March 4, 1934 in Opelika, Alabama, United States.
Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude, Princeton University, 1955; Juris Doctor, U. Alabama, 1961.
Owner firm, Samford & Samford, 1961-1988; judge, Municipal Court, Opelika, 1961-1988; member, Alabama Permanent Judicial Commission, 1979-1983; general counsel, Auburn U., 1965-1995; general counsel emeritus, Auburn U., since 1995. Lecturer Alabama Law Institute, 1969, American Judicature Society, since 1969.
Director, board trustees Opelika Comty. Chest, 1965-1968, president, 1966-1967. Board directors University Alabama Law School Foundation, Junior Achievement Chattahoochee-Lee.
Elder Presbyterian church, 1974-1994, Methodist church, since 1994. Member American Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association (president 1965, Wright Jurisprudential award), Alabama State Bar, University Alabama National Alumni Association (president 1966-1967), Opelika Chamber of Commerce (director 1967, president 1968), Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa. Lodges: Kiwanis (board directors 1966-1967, president 1969-1970).
Son of Thomas Drake and Aileen (Maxwell) S., Junior. Married Jacqueline Screws, June 7, 1955. Children: Thomas Drake IV, Jacquelyn, Robert Maxwell, Richard Drake.