VA North Texas Health Care System patient, James South, loves playing golf and eating chicken fried steak. On October 7th, South enjoyed both of these activities as he celebrated his 100th birthday!

South, a World War II Veteran of the Invasion of Normandy, also spent part of the day reading some of the 300 birthday cards he received from VA North Texas Health Care System employees and patients. VA North Texas’ Veteran and Employee Experience team saw South’s plea on social media and answered the call for birthday cards through donations from staff and other Veterans.

These cards represented a small fraction of the nearly 100,000 cards he received after a simple Facebook posting asking for 100 birthday cards went viral and garnered national and international attention.

“What an honor it is to celebrate the 100th birthday of a true American hero like James South,” said Dr. Stephen Holt, VA North Texas Health Care System Director. “It’s so great to see our patient, Mr. South, thoroughly enjoying life and playing golf with his son at 100 years—we should all be so fortunate.”

South, who resides in a Watauga, Texas, retirement home, became a fan of regular written correspondence during his military service overseas when his then girlfriend would write him a letter every day. He would later marry that girlfriend, Sophie, and they enjoyed 55 years before her death in 2001.

“I’m so happy to get all of these cards,” said South. “I want them up on my walls so I can enjoy them every day.”

South is one of 134,000 active patients that utilize VA North Texas Health Care System for their health care over 1.5 million times per year.

Jeffrey Clapper is the chief of communications & community engagement for the VA North Texas Health Care System.

Photo by Nancy Gray, VA North Texas Medical Media

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7 Comments

  1. Rapid October 31, 2019 at 08:52

    Happy Birthday! A very respected person, I hope we can congratulate him on his birthday for more than a dozen years.

  2. Công Ty nhà thép October 17, 2019 at 23:24

    Happy birthday to Mr. James South. Hopefully he will continue to live happily with the things he has devoted

  3. Gregoire CT October 13, 2019 at 13:52

    Happy Birthday Mr. James South, hope you continue to live a full life. I am greatful for all those who have paved the way for me.
    MGySgt Gregoire,CT USMC Ret.

  4. Clay Harper October 10, 2019 at 13:44

    My the gods watch over you brother and my you see many more birthdays. Happy bday. Cpl Harper US Army

  5. Thomas Platfoot October 10, 2019 at 01:21

    I feel special for having the privilege to Honor this US Veteran. May God bless him on his way to his 101st birthday ❤️

  6. Ed Matthews October 9, 2019 at 22:37

    I couldn’t have said it better Dean. Good Bless James South and Happy 100th Birthday.
    USMC 66′-

  7. Dean Jakiel October 8, 2019 at 12:21

    I was so proud to be just one to participate in making this veteran’s day special through his simple request

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