90-year-old Father Still Farming

On Father's Day, not even the hot weather could stop one 90-year-old dad from working on his farm.

Sunday, June 21st 2009, 11:40 pm

By: News 9


By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

POCASSET, Oklahoma -- On Father's Day, not even the hot weather could stop one 90-year-old dad from working.

"May have been falling apart then but I'm still hanging on. I never give up," James Garrett said.

Even with a little struggle, at 90-years-old James Garrett is still on his feet.

"I use this extra ladder because the steps are little closer together and my steps are getting closer together," Garrett said.

With every little step, slowly but surely he climbs into the combine. It's one tough job he's done every day as a farmer, growing everything from cotton to corn and alfalfa hay.

"I was not here just to make a lot of money in the farm, I wanted to make a living for my family so we can enjoy the farm that we have," Garrett said.

The 90-year-old said he grew up at a young age learning to love his job, picking cotton for a dime a day.

"I always wanted to do that even though it's hard work. I love it that way," Garrett said.

He worked sun up to sun down since then, bought his own tractor and cattle and passed along the hard work lessons to his two daughters.

‘We have retired from farming but my father has not," Beverly Bortell said.

On Father's Day, a tradition runs deep and it's much more than just a holiday, wheat harvest is in full swing.

"Father's Day normally means wheat harvest whenever we check the date," Garrett's daughter said.

With the family's help, Garrett is out in the field every day and doesn't miss a beat or take a break. He even told his daughter's he's going to plant another wheat crop, and nothing can stop him.

"Cattle and farming and wheat, that's his life," Bortell said.

"I'm happy doing it," Garrett said. "I'm not doing it for money. I'm just doing it to fulfill the rest of my occupation. I want to do it ‘til I die.

Garrett said manages to still work to this day because he doesn't smoke or drink and the doctors say he has pretty strong lungs.

His other love, his wife, is 86 years old. His great grandfather lived to be 111-years-old, looks like longevity runs in the family.

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