It just may be about time you invested in a vegetable garden. Arthur “Jerry” Latham, who just celebrated his 105th birthday Monday, May 18, credits the homegrown, organic vegetables from his garden as one reason for his long life.

It also helps that Jerry never smoked or drank alcohol in his lifetime.

Jerry served with the Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. New York as chief storekeeper during the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war Jerry went to work for the Providence Gas Co. in payroll and accounting.

After his retirement, Jerry served as a pastor at the Community of Christ Church for 10 years. He also volunteered as a driver, bringing people to medical appointments until he was 80 years old. He and his wife Doris, who is 97, will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary this November. The two met while Doris was working as a nurse at the hospital where Jerry’s brother was a patient.

To celebrate his 105th, Jerry, Doris and daughter Nancy Cornish visited the Pilgrim Senior Center on Tuesday for lunch. When he arrived, Jerry was met with cheers and applause. He has a regular at the center for more than 40 years and often did the prayer and pledge before lunch. He shared lunch and some cake with his friends and family.

At 105, Jerry only needs a walker to get around, does light arm and leg exercises and still attends church every Sunday and goes to lunch afterwards.

Jerry was driving until 103 and, according to his daughter, is a bit of a back seat driver.

“He’s still very observant,” she said. “He hasn’t lost any of his mental faculties. When we drive together he will point out things way ahead of us to look out for.”

Cornish said that although Jerry wasn’t doing too well last year so far 2015 is looking good.

“The medical issues knocked him for a loop, but he survived that and he’s only getting stronger every day,” she said.

The staff at the Pilgrim Senior Center was happy to see Jerry come in to share his birthday celebration.

Meg Underwood, city Director of Senior Services, explained Jerry is “one of a kind” and part of the “fabric” of the Pilgrim Senior Center.

“Everyone knows and loves him. When you have a milestone like this you want to be where you’re part of the family and it’s a delight he chose to be with us,” she said.

Underwood said Jerry is definitely the center’s oldest member and that seeing members age longer is a trend at the center. She said only a few months ago they celebrated another member’s 100th.

“People are living longer, aging in a more healthy way. Socialization, a sense of community, it’s good for them and we are happy to be a part of that.”

“The volunteers and the people who come here are like family, they are so kind to my parents; there’s such a sense of community and camaraderie,” Cornish said.

Doris Latham, who will be 97 in July, said, “It’s great to be back here. Everyone is so congenial and sincere in the best way.”

Jerry was asked if it felt any different to be 105 than it is to be 104 and he agreed it did, but he would need some time to figure out why.