Buddy’s Story

For Buddy Armour, Drexel 3 & 5 weren’t just job sites, they were formative spaces that launched a lifelong career. Buddy began working at the plants in 1973. He spent four years honing his skills before moving into furniture design at Drexel Furniture Industries. Looking back, he says, “I was privileged to be there. Both plants had great supervisors and great workmates who didn’t mind sharing their knowledge.”

While Buddy learned valuable technical skills, like engineering and time studies, it was the community that left the deepest impression. Drexel, he says, wasn’t just about making a living. “It put a lot of beans on a lot of tables, including mine,” he shared. But more than that, it was a place where people cared for one another. He fondly remembers coworkers arriving early to gather in the canteen before their 7 a.m. shifts, a daily ritual that reflected the camaraderie inside the walls.

Buddy went on to serve the broader community through years of leadership on the Burke County School Board. His story is one of dedication — to his craft, to his coworkers, and to the place he calls home. Drexel 3 & 5 weren’t just factories — they were communities that built Burke County and Western NC.