Son Of Oklahoma's Oldest World War II Veteran Remembers His Father After His Death

Oklahoma's oldest World war II veteran passed away in Nowata this week at 105. 

Albert Lumm's son Rick said his dad had a great sense of humor, and would always have a funny line to say.

"In fact, I remember the last joke he said... what did one ocean say to the other ocean? They didn't say anything they just waved," said his son Rick,

Albert served in World War II as a member of the Navy. He was a gunner's mate on the William DuBois liberty ship and The U.S.S Hailey before he was honorably discharged. Rick says his father never looked back.

"His focus was on today, he would talk about World War two, he talked about the horse buggy days, but he seemed to have a real focus on what was happening today and maybe tomorrow he somehow knew how to let yesterday go," said Rick. 

In 1962 Albert became a Christian and dedicated his life to Christ.

Albert went on 40 mission trips, including Haiti, where he adopted a first grader, and supported her through college.

When he wasn't serving on mission trips, he worked as a driller at two Peabody Coal plants between Nowata and Vinita.

"He enjoyed that job, he enjoyed the men out there, he enjoyed the work that was out there," Rick said.

Albert spent the last 8 months in a nursing home in Nowata with his caretaker James Hamilton.

"Something about Albert his age, his sharpness, he impressed me because he was strong-minded, strong-willed," Hamilton said.

The two created a strong bond over both serving in the military and rooting for the Chiefs. He told News On 6 on Christmas he wanted to see them win. 

Related Story: WWII Veteran Turns 105 On Christmas

And win they did, Albert just found out a different way.

"He didn't know they were going to the Super Bowl, but he does now," says Hamilton. 

Albert Lumm's service is on Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Stumpff Funeral home in Nowata. After that, he will be escorted to the city cemetery in Nowata by The Patriot Guard Riders.