Navy Veteran Reveals Secret to 77-Year Marriage on His 100th Birthday: ‘I Let Her Be the Boss’

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, George Edward Dopp Jr. took a moment to reflect on significant milestones in his life, including his service as an aircraft mechanic during WWII and his enduring 77-year marriage.

Dopp, born on September 23, 1923, in Wilmore, Pennsylvania, spent his childhood with three older sisters. He moved to Baltimore at the age of 16, and soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy.

In 1946, Dopp married Ruth, and they've been inseparable ever since. When asked about the secret to their marital success, he shared with Echo-Pilot, "I let her be the boss."

Their union has produced a family that now boasts 10 great-grandchildren. To mark Dopp's centennial celebration on September 23, around 30 family members, accompanied by church friends, gathered in his honor.

Expressing surprise at his own longevity, Dopp confessed he "never expected to live this long."

Ruth, sharing the sentiment, said they're grateful that "the man upstairs hasn’t called us yet."

She added, "When he calls us, we’ll go."