Spirited North Carolina preacher goes skydiving for his 98th birthday.
Roy Jernigan went skydiving for his 98th birthday on Tuesday Jan. 24, 2023. | Screenshot/Skydive Coastal CarolinasAt 98 years old, longtime North Carolina preacher Roy Jernigan doesn’t have a doctor, hasn’t had a physical exam in 15 years and is on no medication “but the good Lord and black coffee.” And to celebrate his longevity on Tuesday, he went skydiving with his family for his birthday and plans to do it again when he turns 100.
“My advice to anyone, if God blesses you and gives you the number of years that he’s given me, burn out your life living for others. You’ll never regret it,” Jernigan told WECT News 6 after completing the challenge with his daughter and granddaughter.
Jernigan, who served as a Naval Corpsman during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was an understudy as a clown in the Ringling Brothers Circus at the start of World War II, told WRAL News that he was never a “thrill seeker” but decided to take on the challenge which his family claims started out as a joke.
“I didn’t think he’d go through with it [...] not much surprises me these days from him. He’s a risk taker I guess,” granddaughter April Lintner told WECT News 6. CP.
