Lovelace: 100 years young

By Lauren Radomski | The Daily Journal

Published 12:00 p.m., August 31, 2009

Ask Verlon Lovelace about the secret to a long life and he’ll say it’s all about attitude.

It helps that the Fergus Falls resident, who turned 100 Friday, stayed active well into his nineties.

“He was climbing on his roof fixing his antenna when he was 93,” recalls Verlon’s brother, Bert Lovelace.

Lovelace’s centennial brought family from all over the country to Fergus Falls Saturday. During a party at Pioneer Senior Cottages, Lovelace said he’s tried to “always be upbeat.”

“Don’t dwell in misery,” he said.

That advice comes from someone who’s lived through hard times. Born in Iowa, Lovelace grew up on a farm near Tyler, Minn., and continued to farm throughout the Great Depression.

“He was the hardest working man you ever saw, even from when he was young,” Bert Lovelace said.

Lovelace owned a Ford dealership in Appleton, Minn., before moving to Fergus Falls in 1960. He worked as a securities representative until his retirement at age 65.

Carole Lovelace, who came from New Orleans for the party, said her father has always been a curious person with a love of reading. In his retirement, Lovelace took classes at the community college on tax preparation and put those skills to work helping local low-income residents with their paperwork.

“I was able to do it and I thought it would be a good thing,” Lovelace said.

“He was always helping people,” said Carole Lovelace. “He inspired the family, I think, because of what he did.”

Lovelace traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, a perk of Carole’s job as a flight attendant. A regular blood donor, Lovelace showed up for blood drives until he was told he couldn’t give anymore. He got his first computer at age 90, taught himself how to use it and loved playing the stock market. When his wife, Hazel, moved to Pioneer Senior Cottages a few years ago, Lovelace followed. The two were married for 75 years, celebrating with family two years ago before Hazel’s passing.

The couple had five children, including a son who died of cancer in his 30s. Several of their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great grandchildren came from as far as Pennsylvania and Michigan for Saturday’s party.

Carole Lovelace said she believed her father was going to be mentioned on NBC’s Today show when Williard Scott makes birthday announcements. Family had also written to the White House and to the Vatican, which may send a blessing on behalf of the Pope.

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