103-year-old woman’s record-breaking skydiving trip proves age is just a number

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - A 103-year-old woman proved age is just a number by breaking an Ohio record for the oldest person to go skydiving in the state.

Evelyn Franks, 103, took the leap of a lifetime last Friday afternoon alongside one of her 10 children, Darlene Claspill, at Start Skydiving in Middletown.

“Better late than never,” Evelyn said. “I don’t know how long I’m gonna live.”

It was a day she’d been dreaming about for decades.

“I’ve been wanting to do it for quite a while, and I think I’m blessed,” Evelyn said.

“She’s tried to get dressed the past two days: ‘Are we going today?’ and I’m like, ‘No, not until Friday, Mom,’” Darlene said.

The mother and daughter spent 15 or so minutes above the clouds.

“It’s huge. I hope I’m in heaven, and it’s big like that,” Evelyn said.

Back on the ground, Evelyn was joined by dozens of friends and family members to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she’ll never forget.

“Not everybody gets to do this, so I have to tell them it’s something that you’ll probably want to do someday,” she said.

As exciting as it was for the 103-year-old and her family, skydiving instructor Larry Compton said getting to be a part of milestone moments like this one is priceless.

“I’m very blessed, very fortunate I get to share this with people like that,” Compton said. “To take Evelyn here at 103, that’s a new record, and for her to have that kind of zest for life, I love it.”

It’s a zest Evelyn says she will carry with her to her 104th birthday in October.

When asked what the key to her longevity is, Evelyn says it’s just common sense. She says she took good care of her body, didn’t smoke and took it one day at a time.