Local World War II veteran marks two major milestones

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Celebrating his birthday was just one special part of the day for a 102-year-old Ottawa County man. There was one heck of a party in Port Clinton Tuesday for Darrell Gress, complete with a big surprise.

It included all the usual fanfare you’d expect when you celebrate 102 trips around the sun. There were friends, good food and a rowdy round of happy birthday. But something he’s waited more than 80 years to receive may have taken the cake.

Darrell Gress was born on April 23, 1922. On Tuesday, he was surrounded by friends at the Port Clinton Senior Center as he marked the major milestone. He had a simple message of gratitude for everyone who made this celebration of a century plus two years possible.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the best country to live in. I say that just about every day and I think that is why I’m still here,” Gress said.

Gress’ friend Bruce Kent said Gress served in the United States Navy during World War II.

“He enlisted in the Navy in January of 1942 and served active duty for four years. He was done serving in January 1946. He was on a fleet tug involved in several major invasions in the Pacific,” Kent said.

Kent served in the Navy during Vietnam. He met Gress at the senior center a couple of years ago and the two became fast friends.

“He never complains, he doesn’t gripe. He is always upbeat He’s easy-going. He is one of those people who makes your life happier. I don’t see him as a father figure or grandfather. I see him as a brother. We shared war experiences and even though they were a generation apart, a lot of the experiences were the same,” Kent said.

But something’s been missing in Gress’ life for more than 80 years. A high school diploma.

“I left school and went to work for my dad on our family farm to help with things. There wasn’t a lot of money floating around then,” Gress said.

Tuesday, he got that diploma. It all started with a letter from Kent to the superintendent of Port Clinton City Schools. Superintendent Patrick Adkins surprised Gress at the party and hand-delivered the diploma.

“Something was missing from his life for a long time and to be able to provide that and see the look on his face is very special,” Adkins said.

Kent loved watching a dream come true for his friend.

“It brought a tear to my eye. I know how happy he is about it and how humble he is about it. He never thought he’d get a diploma. He had to wait 84 years for it. Now I am going to work on an honorary college degree or even a Ph.D.,” Kent said.

Gress said it’s friends like that who have made his 102 years so full.

“It’s been a wonderful life and this is a good, good country,” Gress said.

Gress said in spite of not having his diploma, he had a great career working on the railroad. He still gets around well, lives at home, and even does his own shopping. So what is the secret behind his long life? It is not a special food or drink. He says he often tells the Good Lord he loves the earth, and he thinks that might have helped get him this far.

Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals

Copyright 2024 WTVG. All rights reserved.