America is in mourning this week after it was reported that Richard Overton, who was believed to be the oldest living American veteran of World War II, passed away last Thursday. He was 112 years-old.

Richard, who served in the U.S. Army, had been hospitalized for pneumonia but was sent home to be with his family on Christmas Eve.

“They had done all they could,” said one of his family members.

Richard often attributed making it to such an old age to drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. He could often be seen partaking in both of these activities on his front porch.

“With his quick wit and kind spirit he touched the lives of so many, and I am deeply honored to have known him,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott, going on to call Richard “an American icon and Texas legend’.

“Richard Overton made us proud to be Texans and proud to be Americans,” Abbott continued. “We can never repay Richard Overton for his service to our nation and for his lasting impact on the Lone Star State.”

Former President Barack Obama himself paid tribute to Richard back in 2013 during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

“He was there at Pearl Harbor, when the battleships were still smoldering,” Obama said of the veteran. “He was there at Okinawa. He was there at Iwo Jima, where he said, ‘I only got out of there by the grace of God.'”

Richard Overton was an American hero who will be dearly missed. Thank you for your service, Richard Overton!