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brooklynite

(94,591 posts) Thu Dec 27, 2018, 10:17 PM Dec 2018

Richard Overton, America's oldest living WWII vet and man, dies at 112

Source: The Hill

Richard Overton, the country’s oldest living man and WWII veteran, has died at age 112.

His cousin, Volma Overton Jr., confirmed the news to the Austin American-Statesman on Thursday.

...snip...

Overton served in World War II and had built a reputation for his liking for cigars and whiskey. Though he credited God for his long life, Overton told a local Fox station in a previous interview that his vices also helped as well.

“I been smoking cigars from when I was 18 years old, I’m still a smoking ‘em. 12 a day,” he said jokingly at the time.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/423076-richard-overton-americas-oldest-living-wwii-vet-and-man-dies-at

13 replies

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Richard Overton, America's oldest living WWII vet and man, dies at 112 (Original Post) brooklynite Dec 2018 OP

Just four years younger than my father. greatauntoftriplets Dec 2018 #1

He was quite a character and I'm greatful to everyone who helped keep him in his home so long. herding cats Dec 2018 #2

My Dad, A WW II vet, died at the age of 93 two years ago. Nitram Dec 2018 #3

How cool is that! Honor. JudyM Dec 2018 #4

As a human being, I applaud his long life. Aristus Dec 2018 #5

Just explain that these people are the exception and not the rule Takket Dec 2018 #8

I do. Aristus Dec 2018 #9

God Speed, Mr. Overton. sandensea Dec 2018 #6

Thank you for your service, Sir! Talitha Dec 2018 #7

Here are some comments from Beto Gothmog Dec 2018 #10

RIP Father Overton 🙏🏻 .... LenaBaby61 Dec 2018 #11

So sorry to see this. He was talked about quite a bit here on DU. BumRushDaShow Dec 2018 #12

Obama Honored him laserhaas Dec 2018 #13

greatauntoftriplets

(175,742 posts)

1. Just four years younger than my father.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Dec 27, 2018, 10:25 PM

Dec 2018

Mr. Overton would have been 35 when the war started. Many considered my father to be old when he enlisted at 32. But with no kids yet, he figured he'd be drafted anyway.

RIP Mr. Overton.

herding cats

(19,565 posts)

2. He was quite a character and I'm greatful to everyone who helped keep him in his home so long.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Dec 27, 2018, 11:55 PM

Dec 2018

Tonight I mourn the passing of an interesting man with an extremely colorful past.

Go gently, you're in my thoughts tonight as you have been since being admitted to the hospital last week. On Monday I thought you were going to, maybe possibly, make it home again to be where you wanted to be when you passed.

Nitram

(22,811 posts)

3. My Dad, A WW II vet, died at the age of 93 two years ago.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 12:30 AM

Dec 2018

Still unwilling to share his role in using the cracked Japanese code to win the Battle of Midway because of his oath of secrecy.

JudyM

(29,251 posts)

4. How cool is that! Honor.

Reply to Nitram (Reply #3)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 12:34 AM

Dec 2018

Sending thoughts of peace and strength.

Aristus

(66,381 posts)

5. As a human being, I applaud his long life.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 12:54 AM

Dec 2018

As a patriot, I salute his service.

But as a medical provider, I really dislike it when some old guy says something like: "Smoked ever' day o'my life, and I'm healthy as a horse!"

I'm trying to keep my patients away from tobacco with a whip and a chair, and someone comes along and attributes his long life to something that kills in the hundreds of thousands. Should we send long-life-seekers to war just because he wasn't killed in one?

Takket

(21,575 posts)

8. Just explain that these people are the exception and not the rule

Reply to Aristus (Reply #5)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 01:40 AM

Dec 2018

Aristus

(66,381 posts)

9. I do.

Reply to Takket (Reply #8)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 01:43 AM

Dec 2018

Every once in a while, someone will point out that Winston Churchill drank like a fish and smoked like a chimney, and lived to be 90.

I remind them that for the last twenty or so years of his life, he was in atrocious health, suffered several strokes, and was in constant pain. Longevity is not such a blessing when your quality of life is terrible.

sandensea

(21,636 posts)

6. God Speed, Mr. Overton.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 01:01 AM

Dec 2018

Talitha

(6,593 posts)

7. Thank you for your service, Sir!

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 01:27 AM

Dec 2018

Gothmog

(145,291 posts)

10. Here are some comments from Beto

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 01:48 AM

Dec 2018

Link to tweet

?s=20

LenaBaby61

(6,974 posts)

11. RIP Father Overton 🙏🏻 ....

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Fri Dec 28, 2018, 02:10 AM

Dec 2018

You served a country which saw you as a second-class citizen, and as such, you were sent into a segregated military, but you and your "brothers" served with dignity, honor and excellence--heads held high, like BOSSES.

Your likes, nor their likes will ever be seen again, and you personally leave a distinguished legacy of love and service to our country, and to your family and friends--to ALL of us.

110 years of EXCELLENCE. WELL DONE SIR 🙏🏼

Much love to you Father Overton, and as you look down upon us enjoy your trademark cigar. You've earned it 💖