HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — Chuck Chamberlin, a 90-year-old Hixson resident, knows how to celebrate a big birthday in a big way. He completed his third skydiving jump to celebrate his birthday.
"A long time ago, in high school, there was a guy that was taking people up for $10 and letting them parachute off of his little plane," Chamberlin said. "I passed up that opportunity way back then."
To make up for passing on that opportunity, Chamberlin began skydiving in 2017 when he was 83 years old. His 90th birthday jump was his third time doing it.
"When you first go out, you take a big gulp of fresh air way up there, and then you just enjoy the ride down. "It's a different way of looking at things when you're going 120 miles an hour toward the ground," Chamberlin said. "It's just fun! You feel like you're flying! It's just a good feeling!"
Chamberlin said doing this keeps him young.
"I'm trying to live a long time, but I don't want to get old in the process," Chamberlin said. "This is one of the things that helps keep me from not getting too old."
During his latest jump, Chamberlin's shoe fell off when the parachute was ejected. He's offering an $80 reward if anyone finds it.
Losing a shoe won't stop him. Chamberlin said he plans to do it again for his 95th birthday and again for his 106th. The current world record for the oldest person to tandem skydive is 106 years old.
Chamberlin said he's very thankful to live as long as he has, and he's blessed to have great support from his family.