America’s oldest veteran, Richard Overton, who served in the Army during World War II and credited God, whiskey and cigars for his remarkable longevity, died Thursday in Texas at the age of 112, reports say.

He had been hospitalized for the last week with pneumonia, his family said.

Related: America’s Oldest Living Vet Might Be Released from Hospital

More from LifeZette TV

MORE NEWS: 75th Anniversary of the United Nations

Shirley Overton, whose husband was Richard’s cousin, said the vet died Thursday evening at a rehab facility in Austin.

Overton, who was also thought to be the oldest living American, was born in 1906 in Bastrop County, just outside Austin, Texas.

Do you agree that protesting is acceptable, but rioting is not? Yes No Email Address (required) By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement Results Vote

Overton was in his 30s when he volunteered for the Army.

He was at Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese surprise attack in 1941.

The WWII veteran served in the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion from 1942 to 1945, a period that included stops in Angaur, Palau; Peleliu, Micronesia; and Iwo Jima, Japan.

On Veterans Day in 2013, as FOX 7 Austin reported, former President Barack Obama honored Overton in front of thousands in the nation’s capital.

MORE NEWS: Barrett Already Hit With Anti-Religious Hate From The Media

“His service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect that he deserved at home.

But this veteran held his head high,” Obama said.

Overton, in later years, could often be seen on the porch of his home, which he built in East Austin in 1945.

“He’s like a gift to Austin that keeps giving,” Overton’s friend Steve Wiener said last summer.

“He’s a crackerjack. When people sense his humor and playfulness, it just lightens everyone’s step.”

He was grateful to be the nation’s oldest veteran. And he offered this wry advice for living a long life: “Keep living, don’t die.”

His favorite pastime was smoking his 12 daily cigars on his front porch, which friends dubbed his “stage.”

He had lived on his street since returning from war.

Richard Overton, the oldest-living veteran, was born on May 11, 1906, the same year as the first wireless radio broadcast, and a year before Oklahoma became a state. He died Thursday at the age of 112. https://t.co/ACWA5ljXoH — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 28, 2018

Let's take a moment to thank and celebrate the life of Richard Overton the nation's oldest living veteran whose passed away this evening at age 112.

Thank you for your service, sir. pic.twitter.com/NxEs3k6EIJ — Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) December 28, 2018

Jan and I are sad to hear that we have lost Richard Overton, a great Texan and an American patriot who inspired so many. He was the oldest man in America and the oldest living WWII veteran. I was honored to know him. He visited the Texas Senate in 2015. pic.twitter.com/uVXeSXIEhf — Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) December 28, 2018

Richard Overton: a life well lived. pic.twitter.com/3bXpuvR6J6 — Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) December 28, 2018

RIP Richard Overton. pic.twitter.com/LuuxJ5ZVGx — Vic Jaymes McDowell (@vicjaymes) December 28, 2018

That street was named in his honor for his 111th birthday last year.

He was grateful to be the nation’s oldest veteran.

And he offered this wry advice for living a long life.

“Keep living, don’t die,” he said.

Frank Miles is a reporter and editor covering geopolitics, military, crime, technology and sports for FoxNews.com. The Associated Press contributed to this Fox News report, which is used by permission.

Read more at Fox News:

Man Who Climbed National Christmas Tree to Be Taken for Evaluation

Michigan Women Accused of Stealing at Target During ‘Shop with a Cop’ Event

Behind the Mattis Resignation: More Resignations Expected After ‘Protest Exit’