On March 21, 2021, friends and family of Village of Oak Creek resident H.B. “Boots” Claunts gathered with him for an Open House to celebrate his 102nd birthday. Chairs were spread out and guests came at different times as a way of accommodating the restrictions brought on by the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Memories — both old and recent — were shared of what’s been a very eventful life.
One of the more current events that was a part of Boots’ life was COVID, a virus that he unfortunately experienced first hand. In December, emergency responders responded to a call at Boots’ house. It was later determined that at 101 years old, Boots had contracted COVID. But he fought through and was discharged.
“That stuff makes you sick,” Boots said of the virus. “I was discharged on Dec. 18.”
COVID is not the first pandemic that Boots has lived through. While he was probably too young to remember, the Spanish Flu pandemic was still very much raging worldwide when he was born on March 21, 1919.
And the pandemics aren’t the only key events to show how much has happened in Claunts’ 102 years.
Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Despite being 50 when that happened, Boots has lived longer in a world where man has walked on the moon than he had before that historic “Giant leap for mankind.”
In June of 1919, British pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown became the first people to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Eight years later, American pilot Charles Lindbergh became the first person to make that flight solo. Boots was alive for both historic flights.
Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States when Boots was born. President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20 made him the 19th president to serve during Claunts’ life. Boots’ life has spanned 25 full four-year presidential terms and parts of 27.
In December of 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold the rights of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. That led to a complete reversal of success for the franchises. The Yankees now have 27 championships while the Red Sox — who had won five of the 15 first World Series, wouldn’t win again until 2004. When Boots was born, Ruth was still weeks away from beginning his final season with the Red Sox.
When Boots was born, The Masters, arguably the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, was still 15 years away from its inaugural event.
Golf remains a passion in Boots’ life. He’s made a staggering 16 holes-in-one, including two since turning 100. He gives himself plenty of chances, playing five times a week at Canyon Mesa Country Club.
At his 102nd birthday party, one of Claunts’ golfing buddies, Arland “Rev. A” Averill, talked about the many accomplishments of Boots’ life. This included graduating from Oklahoma Baptist College in 1940, serving in World War II and marrying his sweetheart, Jackie Riley, in 1942.
The list included Claunts’ golf achievements. That included making what Averill deemed “The putt of the century” at Canyon Mesa the day before the party.
Claunts’ family from Oklahoma also made the trip to celebrate his birthday.
“He is unbelievably smart,” said Judy McNeely, Boots’ second cousin. “To be 102 years old, he’s so sharp. He plays golf, which is amazing. And he shows a lot of love to us and his friends. We didn’t want to miss it.”
Boots was touched by the crowd that gathered for the party, especially given the current situation in the world.
“Under the conditions I think we did pretty good,” Claunts said, following Averill’s speech.
“I love each and every one of you and I appreciate you coming out,” he added. “There’s no way that I would be here without these nice people. My old heart beats and I can’t say enough. Thank you guys and I’ll see you next year.”
