98-year-old Air Force veteran lives out disciplined routine in San Antonio senior community

Jim Breedlove, a retired Chief Master Sergeant who served 23 years in the Air Force, lives at Changing Seasons Senior Living Community in San Antonio at age 98. His story highlights what veteran-friendly senior living can look like for an older airman whose service began before the Air Force became a separate branch in 1947.

Why it matters: - Jim Breedlove is older than the Air Force itself, a rare marker that underscores how senior living communities can honor long military legacies. - Breedlove’s daily routine shows how veteran-friendly housing can support aging residents through faith, fitness, routine and community. - Changing Seasons Senior Living Community in San Antonio is presenting Breedlove as an example of the kind of life residents can keep living in a supportive setting.

What happened: - Jim Breedlove, 98, lives at Changing Seasons Senior Living Community in San Antonio. - Breedlove served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. - The Air Force became its own military branch in 1947, and Breedlove was already old enough to enlist at that time. - Breedlove spent his final nine years in uniform as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force.

The details: - Breedlove’s assignments took him across three continents, including England, Alaska and Libya. - Breedlove says England and Alaska were his favorite postings. - Breedlove and his wife raised four daughters. - His wife died in 1996. - The family has grown to include several grandchildren and a great-grandchild. - Breedlove leans on his Christian faith and attends Bible Study with other residents. - He watches his diet, avoids too much sugar and focuses on long-term nutrition. - He exercises several times a week with a walker. - He reads the Daily Chronicle to stay informed and keep up with conversation. - He participates in gatherings, discussions and community events.

Between the lines: - Breedlove’s story is less about a single military milestone than a lifetime shaped by discipline. - His habits suggest that routine, social connection and faith can remain central well into advanced age. - The community’s pride in Breedlove points to a broader appeal of veteran-friendly senior living: residents are known for their service, not just their care needs.

What's next: - Breedlove will continue his routine at Changing Seasons, where faith, exercise and community remain part of daily life. - The Air Force turns 79 this September, while Breedlove remains nearly 20 years older than the branch he served. - Changing Seasons is likely to keep using Breedlove’s story as a symbol of the community’s veteran-focused identity.

The bottom line: - Jim Breedlove’s life in San Antonio shows how a veteran-friendly senior community can preserve independence, routine and dignity for a resident whose service predates the modern Air Force.