And Now There Are Two

The oldest surviving U.S. veteran of World War I has passed away, reports USA Today. J. Russell Coffey was 109 at the time of his death. With Mr. Coffey's passing, there are now only two living American veterans of the "War to End All Wars," including Frank Buckles, who was recently profiled in The New York Times.

Like Mr. Buckles, Coffey was a remarkable man. He was still in basic training when the war ended in 1918 and never served overseas. After the war, he enjoued a long career a teacher and college professor, eventually earning his Ph.D. Dr. Coffey was a member of the physical education faculty at Bowling Green University until 1969. He drove a car until the age of 104, and lived on his own until he reached 105. Coffey passed away at a retirement home in North Baltimore, Ohio.