98-year-old preacher and evangelist Roy Jernigan from North Califonia is making headlines for his daredevil act of skydiving to commemorate his 98th birthday.
The former Navy Corpsman veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars became a missionary to native American tribes after his military service and had just retired earlier last year.
According to Roy’s granddaughter, the military veteran took up the challenge when she suggested that he could give skydiving a try on his birthday, something he had never done before. “I didn’t think he’d go through with it. … Not much surprises me these days from him. He’s a risk taker, I guess,” April Lintler said.
When Roy decided to take up the challenge, his family members expressed their concerns for his well being but then he was not the kind of man who would step down from a good challenge and a thrilling experience. “They look at you and say, ‘Are you serious?’ I say yes. ‘Are you crazy?’ I say yes,” Jernigan explains.
The veteran successfully completed the jump and enjoyed it. So much so, he is planning to do it once again on his 100th birthday.
98th Birthday Skyjump @SkyDive Coastal CarolinaThe jump on 1/24/2023
Posted by Preacher Roy Ministries on Thursday, 26 January 2023
While he shared his secret to a long and healthy life, Jernigan gave glory to God for blessing him with a good life.
“People ask me all the time, what do I contribute my longevity to? And I tell them, ‘The good Lord and black coffee, and in that order.’”
“If God blesses you and gives you the number of years that he’s given me, burn out your life living for others. You’ll never regret it,” Jernigan said.
