A 105-year-old veteran scoffs at retirement despite a lifetime of work, driving every week to volunteer at a Texas hospital.
Clarence Griffith was born the day after President Woodrow Wilson, and one year before the start of World War I, WFAA-TV reported.
“I remember World War I,” he said gruffly while driving to the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
Some find it remarkable that Griffith still drives regularly, considering that he learned to drive with a Ford Model T, regarded as the first affordable automobile due to Henry Ford’s invention of the assembly line production.
“Why are they amazed that I can still drive?” he asked with a hint of annoyance.
But Griffith does still have a valid driver’s license. In fact, he’s driven all over the world due to overseas deployments during both World War II and the Korean War.
“That was hell,” he said candidly of his service in the wars.
After his service, Griffith spent the majority of his life running an electric company.
“I was busy as a cat on a tin roof,” he said of his career.
Griffith has been working so long that he can still recall when social security began in 1935, saying he “raised…hell” over the 18 cents taken out of his $9 paycheck.
The veteran first came to Baylor University Medical Center more than 10 years ago, when he received triple bypass heart surgery the age of 94.
Although his heart was physically healing, he was still suffering from the heartache of his wife’s death, he said.
“Well, my wife had passed away, and I was lonely,” Griffith said.
Griffith is at the forefront of hospital operations, manning the information desk where he helps patients and comforts families.
One hospital spokesman described Griffith as the “rock star” of the volunteers.
He is so beloved by hospital staff that they were determined to celebrate his recent 105th birthday in style.
“You know a lot of people here, they all love ya,” one guest told Griffith.
“I know it,” Griffith replied. “I love them.”
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And volunteering has proved to be the ultimate medicine for Griffith’s loneliness.
“When you’re with people, you’re not lonely,” he said. “I’m not.”
(H/T: WFAA-TV)