Spurgeon “Butch” Carlson, a 105-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, celebrated his birthday by completing a tandem skydive on July 19, 2026, at Pine Hill Airport near Albion, New York, fulfilling a lifelong dream surrounded by family and friends.
Carlson has made a tradition of marking his birthdays with extraordinary adventures. For his 104th birthday, he went horseback riding alongside his then 99-year-old brother. This year, he crossed skydiving off his bucket list, inspiring thousands after videos of the jump went viral on social media.
Now just one year younger than the Guinness World Record holder for the oldest person to skydive, Carlson says age has never stopped him from embracing new experiences, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream.
