100-Year-Old WWII Veteran Shares Lessons In Hard Work, Love

A member of the greatest generation preaches the benefits of keeping a daily work routine, even at 100-years-old.

Shy Manning turned 100 on October 9.

He still drives 26 miles each day on his commute to his southside Oklahoma City office.

“Stay busy, keep your mind busy,” said Manning.

Manning sold industrial machinery for decades before officially retiring in December.

He doesn’t have any more equipment to sell, but still comes to the office to offer advice to customers who may call.

“I sell service,” said Manning.

That sense of routine was instilled in the Navy during World War II.

His ship was torpedoed in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

“Went down walking on the beach and all I saw was body parts,” said Manning.

Manning is forever grateful he was able return home to his wife Josephine.

“She insisted that when I walk in the door that I kiss her. And if she didn't like it, I had to do it again,” said Manning.

The couple was married for 76 years.

“We didn’t fight,” said Manning.

The two never went to bed angry, all the way up until Josephine’s death last year.

“It’s a blessing, she said I’m tired and she went to sleep, it’s not easy, you miss them and you think about them” said Manning.

“He just believes she is with him in a lot of ways and is watching over him. It keeps him going,” said Manning’s daughter Jo Pelphrey.

These days he watches TV in a recliner and often goes to lunch at Grill on the Hill with friends.

His family has laid down rules for their 100-year-old father.

‘Hell, they are trying to get me to do nothing,” said Manning.

His family though wouldn’t dare keep him from the office, even at 100-years-old.