Richard Overton Passed Away!

Rest easy, Richard. At 112, Richard Overton smoked a cigar and told the world, he's lived the life. He wasn't afraid to die.

He lived the life of a hero. One of the last centenarians who served in World War II has passed away.

Richard Overton, America's oldest World War II veteran and the oldest man in the U.S. dies at the age of 112 years old. Lived his life to the fullest, Overton would have been 113 in May.

Overton had been hospitalized with a bout of pneumonia.

Overton served his country despite the Jim Crow laws that keep his unit separate from the rest. He joined the 188th Aviation Engineer Battalion, an all-Black unit that served on various islands in the Pacific.

Native of Austin, Texas, Overton had his opportunity to meet Barack Obama, America's first Black president in 2013.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1940 to 1945.

Born in Bastrop County, Texas, Richard Arvin Overton was the son of Gentry, Overton Sr. and Elizabeth Franklin Wasters. He enlisted in the U.S. military in September 1940.

He served in the theater. He was an active worker for his country. He made stops in Hawai'i, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima.

He served the theater until 1945 and left as a technician fifth grade.

Barack Obama thanks Richard Overton for his service.

He would be working for a couple of furniture stores and taking a post with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts then known as the Texas Department of Treasury.

He was married twice but never had any children.

Overton was known for his love of a good cigar and a wiskey-stiffened coffee.

Before his death, he had an opportunity to meet Rick Perry, Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, John Cornyn, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. He had an opportunity to be honored by the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzles during a game.

He also was part of a documentary called, Mr. Overton, which documented his life, longevity and military service.