Oldest Man (And Veteran) In America Celebrates His 112th Birthday

A few weeks ago, we told you about Richard Overton. He’s not only America’s oldest veteran, but the oldest American right now period. He was born in 1906, and today, he’s celebrating his 112th birthday.

Remember? He’s the one who told us that the secret to longevity is God and cigars.

Steve Harvey once asked him his secret, and Overton responded, “Just keep living, don’t die.”

The oldest man in America will soon celebrate his 112th birthday. Richard Overton spends his days smoking cigars, eating sweets and waving at honking cars from his porch. https://t.co/sCzwPClMzD pic.twitter.com/xbKk6ymegB

— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) May 10, 2018

How much do you love him right now?

Dallas News has a piece on him. In it, he reveals that he feels good. No aches. No pains.

The blinds of his home are drawn shut. The trickles from an overnight storm fall onto the trees. “Turn on the lights,” he says to his caregiver, who has sat by his side all night, waiting for Richard Overton to open his eyes.

He’s helped onto a scale, which says his frail figure is a perfect 125 pounds. His blood pressure is a solid 110 over 80. His body temperature is 97.4 degrees.

In a few days, on Friday, he’ll turn 112. “And I have no pains, no aches.”

On this morning, the supercentenarian sits in his favorite recliner. He reaches for his cigar box and unwraps two Tampa Sweet Perfectos with his long fingernails — one for now, one to tuck in his shirt pocket for later.

His everyday routine is #goals for 112.

If the weather is nice, Overton sits on his front porch. His friends call it his “stage.” He’ll hum with the birds, snoop on his neighbors and wave at honking cars. Best of all, it’s where he smokes most of his 12 daily cigars.

Wait. It gets even better. He’s still chugging the coffee (YESSSS), and he’s still not afraid to grab his gun to confront “intruders.”

Every morning, his caregivers make him multiple cups of coffee. Overton takes it with three spoonfuls of sugar and a plastic straw. He likes sweet things. He eats waffles, pancakes or cinnamon rolls for breakfast. He enjoys ice cream and peach cobbler for dessert. He loves Dr Pepper, which he calls “sweet juice.”

His four caregivers switch between 12-hour shifts. They do anything Overton wants. Massage his feet. Pull up the blinds. Pour him his favorite drink, a whiskey and Coke. He can be demanding, because even with his loss of independence, he’s still the man of the house.

Last year, he woke in the middle of the night to a new male caregiver he didn’t recognize. So he got his loaded .38. When the police arrived, they gently asked Overton to put the gun down. No charges were pressed, and the gun was unloaded and hidden in a safe spot.

Now, the caregivers let him know who’s coming.

He certainly sounds spunky!

Richard Overton, America's oldest living WWII veteran, turns 112 today.

Happy Birthday Mr. Overton.
https://t.co/QKD20dRrWA pic.twitter.com/v2HE7Akd0S

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) May 11, 2018

It was such a pleasure finally meeting and thanking Richard Overton for his service to our country. He’s America’s oldest veteran and turning 112 in just a few days. pic.twitter.com/i1H7tlPTf7

— Natalie Martinez (@NatalieOnFOX7) May 6, 2018

Happy 112th birthday to World War II veteran Richard Overton. pic.twitter.com/tv7IB8dfXv

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) May 11, 2018

Richard Overton served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 as part of the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion. Today is his 112th birthday. If you'd like to donate to support his homecare, check out his GoFundMe page: https://t.co/glryDWGHDc https://t.co/2t435wUbNO

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 11, 2018

Happy Birthday America's Oldest Veteran! Richard Overton 'still living' good' and turning 112 on Friday! https://t.co/kAM1CmVLEG pic.twitter.com/npNgS6ySnJ

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) May 11, 2018

Happy 112th Birthday, Mr. Overton!

h/t Dallas News