MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Fred Doctor may have just turned one hundred but he never misses a beat.

What You Need To Know

  •  Dr. Fred Doctor just turned 100

  •  A resident at Solaris Senior Living in Merritt Island, he also recently recovered from COVID-19

  • Doctor was a math and science teacher before joining the U.S. Navy to serve in WWII

And this day, he's in the front row as usual, for a music jam moved outdoors since the pandemic began at Solaris Senior Living in Merritt Island, to keep cases down.

For his big birthday, family and friends from all over celebrated with him.

Fred's daughter Kitty Meythaler is amazed so many people have been touched by the way he's lived his life.

She read from one of the birthday cards.

"May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you alive, in the legacy of faith and good works in our family," she read.

Doctor spent a life working as a science and math teacher before serving in the Navy in World War II.

But Fred also earned the title "doctor" — making him Dr. Doctor — which led to a career helping thousands of patients.

Now long retired, Fred himself recently became a patient.

He got COVID-19, but like the warrior of old, he beat it.​

After living a century, Fred spends his days hanging out with his buddy Bob Thiel.

"We're pals," says Fred of his friend.

"He's the leader of the pack," Bob says of Fred.​

The two spend a lot of time swapping stories of old, and both are grateful for good health.

"I feel wonderful," Fred said. "It all depended on God willing if he wanted me to make it, I would be there."