Ex-paratrooper, 85, skydives

FAIRFIELD, Ohio, May 9 (UPI) -- An 85-year-old Ohio man said he made a skydiving jump -- his first since he was a paratrooper 65 years ago -- and plans to do it again next year.

Clarence Turner Jr. of Fairfield said he underwent open heart surgery in 1999 and knee replacement surgery in 2009, making him eager to make another parachute jump before he was delayed by further health woes, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday.

Turner completed his jump Sunday from a single-engine Cessna 205 at Warren County Airport after the event was delayed for four weekends by rain and other factors.

Turner said the jump was his first since 1946 when he made his last jump as a paratrooper over Sendai, Japan. He said Sunday's experience has reignited his desire to track down his old paratrooper buddies.

The retiree said he is already planning another jump for next year.