Celebrating 100

How would you feel to reach 100 years old?

It’s a milestone that not many people can say they’ve achieved, but 99-year-old Herschel Gordon of Cleveland is set to reach the milestone Friday, Oct. 1.

“I don’t feel no different. I do what I want to do, and if I want to go fishing, I go fishing,” Gordon said of how he feels about turning 100.

As for Gordon’s longevity, his wife Marjorie, 95, said it’s just about getting outdoors, exercising and eating well. He has also worked in his garden in previous years.

Gordon was born in 1921 near Bainbridge. He was the youngest of seven children – six boys and one girl. When World War II came, Gordon was drafted into the Army where he served in the infantry and signal corps. He was sent overseas and stationed in North Africa and Italy, and spent nearly four years overseas.

“I was the company commander’s driver,” he said. “That was the last thing I did. I was trained for the infantry, but I didn’t ever have to serve as the infantry when I got overseas.”

After returning home from service, Gordon worked at an auto body shop until he retired, then had a business of his own for a bit before the Gordons moved to White County in 1986.  Besides being a WWII veteran, Gordon is also a colon cancer survivor.

On his 100th birthday, Gordon said he doesn’t have any big plans. His wife said his niece is coming to visit him, and they’ll probably enjoy some cake.

The Gordons married in April 1946 and have two sons and one grandchild. They recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.