Those left to cherish Drew and honor his memory are his two daughters; Anneke Mikles and husband, Jason of Greenwood, AR and Megan Toland and husband, Jarrod of Pottsville, AR; his three grandchildren, Halle Bollman, Braden Bollman and Jett Toland; one brother, Michael Binkley and wife, Roberta of Cheboygan, Michigan and many nieces and nephews.
Drew was preceded in death by his brother, Jon Binkley; his father and mother, J.C. Binkley and Mary Lou Couch Binkley; his maternal grandparents, Leonard Ray “Bud” and Rosalie Couch and his paternal grandparents, Chester Binkley and Hazel Wharton.
Drew was a 1975 graduate of Swifton High School, where he and his brother Jon dominated the basketball courts together. He attended the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He later received his Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas.
Drew retired from Entergy, Arkansas Nuclear One, Russellville, AR, where he started out as a chemist and then held many roles in the Training Department and as a Modifications Engineer. His most memorable role was that of the outage coordinator for both units. For many years during the outages, he formed and built friendships with those he worked with from within the company as well as outside the company. Prior to that, Drew was an EMT and served as the Director of Ambulance Services for Johnson County Regional Hospital in Clarksville, AR. He was an integral part of the emergency services for the county and loved and respected the medical community, especially his colleagues.
Drew loved his daughters fiercely from the moment they were born. He cherished them, supported them, encouraged them, and mentored them. Being a father and a father figure was important to him, and he took that role seriously. He built a foundation for them including the love for God and church. Drew was an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church and made sure worship and church activities was an important part of their lives. As much as he loved his daughters, the same could be said about his grandchildren. When they were born, it gave him profound pride and joy. He enjoyed being an uncle as well and loved to make his nieces and nephews laugh. He is remembered as “Uncle Droodle” and as a fun uncle at all the family reunions and holiday gatherings.
Drew was an avid sports fan, but his passion was coaching both daughters’ basketball and softball recreational teams from their early youth and throughout their teen years. He was admired and respected by the girls’ teammates and is affectionally called “Coach Drew” even to this day. He brought out the best in their playing abilities and seemed to always deliver the wins. Drew was a dominate player in recreational basketball, volleyball, and softball. He was known to hit the ball out of the park in numerous men’s softball games and tournaments as the spectators and players looked on in amazement.
A celebration of life service will be on Saturday, August 8 at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 116 N. 12t.h St., Fort Smith, AR, with the Rev. Tasha Blackburn officiating. A reception will follow the service. A graveside service will be held at Arnold Cemetery in Swifton, AR, at a later date, where he will be buried next to his mother.
Honorary pallbearers will be Braden Bollman, Shawn Binkley, Jason Mikles, Mike Bollman, Garrett Conkin, Randy Mikles, Carl Minden and the 1994 State Champions B&B Bombers Girls softball team.
In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to make a donation in Drew’s name to Arnold Cemetery Fund, PO Box 208, Swifton, AR 72471, or First Presbyterian Church, 116 N. 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR towards the transportation ministry called “Changing Lanes.”
