A 103-year-old veteran's path to Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Meet Eddie Clemons. He's 103 year's old, living on Buffalo's East side. He's a U.S. Army Veteran, a family man and a devoted member of The Lutheran Church of Our savior.

Born in 1916 in Alabama, he was always taught to go to church on Sundays. He became very close with his Pastor until he joined the U.S. Army and fought in World War II, serving overseas for more than three years.

After the war, he came back home in 1945, only to find out his pastor planned to move to Buffalo. Clemons packed his bags and moved with him. He's been a member of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior on Brunswick Boulevard ever since.

"Ever since he was six years old, unless he was very sick, he never missed church," said Pastor Tim Anas.

Even after his 100th birthday, he continued to go every week and volunteer to hand out bulletins.

"He greets everyone by name. Somehow after all these years, he still keeps track of everyone's name," said Pastor Anas.

He married his wife Ruby and had three children.

"I've never seen a man love a woman as much as he loved my mother," said Shirley Clemons Johnson, his daughter.

"We got along good, we got along very good," said Clemons of his wife who passed away in 2016.

Recently, Clemons hasn't been feeling well, meaning he can't go to church on Sundays. So now, it comes to him.

"I bring communion here to him. the other men of the church come and visit," said Pastor Anas.

He may not be in church, but his faith is what keeps a smile on his face.

"Eddie is exemplary of the kind of people we have here in Western New York. They're resilient, they're committed, they're passionate. No matter their age, they're not going to give up," said Pastor Anas.