Richard Overton, 109, Shares Longevity Tips and Life Philosophy
Interviewer: How old are you and what can you still do?
Richard Overton: I’m 109 years old and I can still walk, talk and drive. I even passed a driving test recently to renew my license.
Interviewer: When did you join the military?
Richard Overton: I entered the Army in 1940 and served as a soldier during that time.
Financial and Material Philosophy
Interviewer: Where do you live and how do you handle money?
Richard Overton: I built my house in 1945 and have lived there ever since. I never use a credit card; I pay cash for everything I buy. I also keep my old truck running instead of buying a new one.
Daily Habits and Diet
Interviewer: What does a typical day look like for you?
Richard Overton: I get up early, between 1 AM and 3 AM. I smoke cigars—sometimes up to twelve a day—but I don’t inhale. I drink coffee, whiskey, and milk, and I eat fish, corn, soup, and ice cream.
Interviewer: Do you have any pets?
Richard Overton: I care for my cats; they keep me happy.
Social and Spiritual Life
Interviewer: How do you stay connected with others?
Richard Overton: I go to church regularly. It helps me push myself along and teaches me how to live better and treat people well. I also spend time with my 91‑year‑old companion, visiting the hospital, grocery store and church together.
Life Philosophy
Interviewer: What core belief guides your life?
Richard Overton: If it’s not my time to die, the bullet will pass over my head. I live for myself and never give up—“I may give out but I never give up.” I’ve seen a lot of living, and I’m still living good.
Takeaways
- Richard Overton, now 109, still walks, talks, and drives, having recently passed a driving test to renew his license.
- He has lived in the same house he built in 1945, avoids credit cards, and prefers to maintain his truck rather than replace it, reflecting a cash‑only, frugal lifestyle.
- His daily routine includes waking between 1 AM and 3 AM, smoking up to 12 cigars without inhaling, and drinking coffee, whiskey, milk, as well as eating fish, corn, soup, and ice cream.
- Regular church attendance and a close companionship with a 91‑year‑old partner provide social and spiritual support that he credits for helping him “push myself along.”
- Overton’s philosophy centers on perseverance—“I may give out but I never give up”—and the belief that if it isn’t his time to die, “bullets will pass over his head.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Overton say bullets will pass over his head if it isn’t his time to die?
He says that when it isn’t his time, “the bullet is going to get you if it’s your time to go; if it isn’t your time, the bullet goes over your head.” This reflects his view that destiny, not effort, decides survival, and that he trusts fate to protect him until his appointed moment.
How does Overton’s cash‑only approach reflect his broader philosophy on material possessions?
He refuses credit cards, pays cash for everything, and keeps his 1945‑built house and his truck instead of buying new items. This frugal, self‑reliant habit mirrors his belief that living for oneself requires simplicity, personal responsibility, and avoiding debt, which he says helps him stay independent and content.
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