IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Wal-Mart's oldest employee in the US celebrates turning 103 with special party

Loren Wade is not your typical 103 year-old.
/ Source: TODAY

Loren Wade is not your typical 103-year-old.

Five days a week, Wade works at a Winfield, Kansas Wal-Mart where he waters plants, greets customers and runs the cash register. In fact, he is such a fixture at the local Wal-Mart that his coworkers recently helped him ring in his birthday by throwing him a very special birthday party.

“I like to meet the people and being here I get to talk to a lot of people,” Wade told TODAY's Sheinelle Jones. “I like being occupied. I usually keep very busy, one thing or another. They see to it that I do.”

Wade tried retirement in the 60’s but quickly grew tired of it and decided to apply for a job at Wal-Mart in 1983. Thirty-two years later, he's well known, and admired, by his customers and coworkers, and has no plans to go back into retirement any time soon.

“I think the man’s here 24/7," one customer said. "He just, he just belongs here. It is his life, and he is ours."

Wade has lived in Winfield his entire life, except for when he served in the Air Force during World War II. Fellow veteran and former Senator Bob Dole even called Wade on his special birthday telling him he was “an inspiration." And on his birthday, Wade formally presented Wal-mart’s donation of $125,000 to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

Wade has no tips or secrets to his longevity but said he is thankful to have reached the ripe age of 103. Wade’s son, who is 80 years old himself, said not many people his age are still able to talk to and receive advice from their fathers.

“I appreciate getting to be old and being recognized," Wade said. "But like I say I’m still just a normal human being. I just happen to be lucky enough to still be around."