Still Smokin'
June 3, 2017 12:38 PM   Subscribe

111 and going strong.... A veteran of World War II, who served with the United States Army and has been honored by U.S. President Barack Obama. He currently resides in Austin, Texas. Nat Geo did a short a few years ago as he was renewing his drivers license.

Richard Arvin Overton (born May 11, 1906) is an African American supercentenarian who at age 111 years, 20 days, is the oldest verified surviving US war veteran.



“It’s just so amazing to be able to look at him, all this knowledge that he has in his mind just so much history,” said [cousin Shimanda] Piper. “He doesn’t take any medicine, it’s amazing.”


“How many cigars have you had this morning?” a friend asked Overton.


“About 3 or 4, y’all have been holding me down,” said Overton. “I always drink a little bit, it’s kept me alive, I’ve been living so long.”



Austin honors with street naming.
posted by shockingbluamp (5 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
That's a great story, thanks for posting it!
posted by languagehat at 1:38 PM on June 3, 2017


Mr. Overton on cats: "Don't want to feed 'em too much or they won't catch the rats." That's where I've been going wrong.

Seriously though, what a lovely profile. There is nothing more beautiful than a long life well-lived and the person which is its culmination.
posted by Brain Sturgeon at 1:55 PM on June 3, 2017


*takes notes*
posted by soakimbo at 2:51 PM on June 3, 2017



*takes notes*


Did he take notes? If he didn't you could be sabotaging your longevity!
posted by srboisvert at 6:38 PM on June 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


"I may give out but I never give up."

Thanks for this great post, shockingbluamp!
posted by On the Corner at 1:16 AM on June 4, 2017


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