Family of Richard Overton, America's oldest living WWII veteran, raising money for healthcare

Richard Overton, 107, left, smiles as he finishes his meal at the Emeritus at Parmer Woods on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Austin Texas Mayor Lee Leffingwell presented a proclamation acknowledging and thanking Overton, and Elmer Hill, 107, right, for their service. Overton is Austin's oldest living World War II veteran and Hill is Henderson, Texas' oldest living World War II veteran. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Ricardo Brazziell) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM less Richard Overton, 107, left, smiles as he finishes his meal at the Emeritus at Parmer Woods on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Austin Texas Mayor Lee Leffingwell presented a proclamation acknowledging ... more Photo: Ricardo Brazziell, Associated Press Photo: Ricardo Brazziell, Associated Press Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Family of Richard Overton, America's oldest living WWII veteran, raising money for healthcare 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

UPDATE: As of Thursday, $22,285 has been raised for the veteran since Wednesday when the fund was at $1,640.

INITIAL REPORT: The family of Richard Overton, a cigar-loving, whiskey-drinking 110-year-old veteran, is asking for the country's help.

Overton is considered one of the nation's oldest World War II veterans — if not the oldest — and now requires round-the-clock care, his family said on a GoFundMe page. Instead of sending Overton to a nursing home, the family is raising money to provide the veteran with in-home care at his house in Austin.

"On behalf of the Overton family, we greatly appreciate any donations to help Richard stay in his home and receive in-home care," said Volma Overton Jr. on the crowdfunding page.

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Overton, who told a reporter in 2014 he smokes cigars each day and takes whiskey in his morning coffee, served in the South Pacific from 1942-45. Upon returning home from the war, he sold furniture in Austin and worked for the state Treasurer's Office.

Emma Didlake was the oldest known veteran at 110 years old until she died in August 2015.

Overton has remained active in recent years, according to the crowdfunding page filled with photos of Overton with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and celebrities like Steve Harvey.

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Overton was recognized by Obama in 2013 on Veteran's Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. There, Obama saluted Overton who was greeted by two standing ovations from a 4,000-person crowd.

In 2014, Overton said the secret to living so long was "staying out of trouble."

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This year, Overton spent Veteran's Day at his Austin home, according to the GoFundMe page. He also represented the "Greatest Generation" at the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl here in San Antonio and delivered the game ball.

So far, $1,640 has been raised to support the veteran.

Staff writers Kolten Parker and Charles J. Lewis contributed to this report.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5