CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A man in Chapel Hill is celebrating a big birthday. On Tuesday, Garland Foushee turned 104 and was celebrated by generations of his family.
The Marian Cheek Jackson Center, St. Joseph CME Church and Foushee's family hosted a drive-by parade for the senior, honking horns, holding balloons and handing birthday cards out their windows.
Everything and everyone was dressed in light blue for the occasion because Garland Foushee is a major Tar Heels fan.
"That's his favorite," said Debbie Foushee Gracy-Tucker, Foushee's youngest daughter. "He used to run concessions at the football games and hire out the neighborhood kids to deliver sodas to the fans. He taught me football and basketball.”
The patriarch was celebrated by five generations of his descendants. He has three children and five grandchildren. And he shares his birthday with his oldest son, Alfred Foushee, who turned 85 on Tuesday.
"Nothing has changed, I know we are getting older but that's all. He looks the same to me," Alfred Foushee said.
Garland Foushee served in the Navy and fought during World War II. He also had multiple careers, as a barber and employee for the U.S. Forest Service. All of those accomplishments were recognized in a letter from the Chapel Hill Mayor's Office.
Garland Foushee's oldest granddaughter, Arminta, read the letter out loud to the crowd.
“I want to wish you a very happy birthday and applaud you for your many contributions to our nation and our community. It is not often that we have the good fortune to celebrate a resident on their 104th birthday," she said.
Garland Foushee's oldest daughter, Marlou Foushee Pippin, is now his primary caregiver. She says when he talks about hitting this milestone age, it comes down to one thing
"When I cut his hair, I ask him ...'Why is your hair growing so fast?' and he says, 'I got good blood,'" Foushee Pippin said.
Garland Foushee initially grew up in Chatham County before moving to Chapel Hill in 1938.