Oldest Pearl Harbor Vet Still Pumping Iron at 104-- Part 1: Ray Chavez, USS Condor

From the March 8, 2016, San Diego Times-Union by Pam Kragen.

It is estimated that fewer than 2000 Pearl Harbor survivors remain.  Ray Chavez is one of them and is the oldest, at 104.  And he still pumps iron, even at that age.

He turned 104 this week.

Last December, just seven of the old men were healthy enough to make it back to Pearl Harbor for 74th anniversary of the attack.  Mr. Chavez was one of them.

The next oldest survivor is Colorado's James Downing, 102, had been considered the oldest survivor until last summer.  Both hope to attend the 75th anniversary this coming December.

Ray Chavez did not return to Pearl Harbor until the 50th anniversary in 1991.

In San Diego, Ray Chavez is quite the celebrity. Last August, he threw out the first pitch for the San Diego Padres Armed Forces Day.  He goes to Personally Fit Gym in Rancho Bernardo twice a week and has been doing that regularly for the last three years.

--GreGen