John Routh of the Drumright Nursing Home here in Drumright turned 99 years old on Monday, July 20. John is a very alert and interesting person to talk to and will surprise you by remembering dates of long ago and places he's been to.
John was born on July 20, 1898 in Knox County, Herman, Ill., he lived there until age 15 when he moved to Kansas. He came to Drumright after his brother Frank called him to work in 1923. John was 34 at the time he went to work for the Gypsy Gasoline Plant in Drumright on April 16, 1923. John recalls he worked there 30 years, 3 months and 15 days and then retired.
He decided to go back to work and did odd jobs such as a carpenter's helper, helping repair machines, repair impliments and work for Blanchards John Deer Tractor place for 7 years. This time when he retired, John was 85 years old. He said he probably wouldn't have retired, but he had to take care of his wife who had gotten sick.
John was married for over 50 years to Clara Emmond Routh. He has two step-daughters, Bessie Robinson of Drumright and Ila Lucille Fry of Casper, Wyo. Also a great number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
John says the way to make it to such an age is to have fun. People take things too serious. He says people need to just take things moderate and never eat like it's your last meal. He says he never did like to be around older people, just younger ones.
John has one dream. That is when he turns 100 he would like to drive his car around the block in his new red jacket the bank has promised him on his 100th birthday. John has made several trips by himself in just the past few years. He traveled to Louisiana when he was 85 to visit his granddaughter and family and has made 4 trips to Casper, Wyo. by himself, since he turned 90 years of age.
Helping John celebrate at the Nursing Home on Monday were 2 of his granddaughters, Donna Robinson of Drumright and Sharon Ary King of Hammond, La. also two of his great-granddaughters, Patty Myers of Drumright and Courtney King of Hammond, La. He also received 2 cakes, one from his two step-daughters, Bessie and Ila and one from Sharon his granddaughter.
We're all looking forward to John's 100th birthday when he gets to drive his car and I've agreed to take the ride with him and take pictures.
-----Shelia Blay, Drumright Editor
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