Photo by Mike Brothers
Who reached 21 first? C.J. Walker (right) actually turned 21 February 14, before great-grandfather Tom Florey turns 21 on February 29.

Finally Turns Twenty one

•February 24, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Thomas Addison Florey is a Leap Year child, and February 29, 2016 is his 21st birthday.

That’s correct; the Bethany native was born February 29, 1932, and he is technically not old enough to drink.

Still living in Bethany and driving around in his recently purchased Chrysler Town and Country Caravan, Tom will be joined by his family 2-4 p.m. Sunday, February 28 for an open house at the Bethany Firehouse.

“You know I don’t get too excited about it anymore,” the soon to be 84 year old Florey said.

He explained his middle name Addison was shared by his father and grandfather.

“When I was a kid, my family always celebrated my birthday on March 1,” he said, recalling his great-aunt who lived in Flora was also a Leap Year child.

Florey said when he met Darlene Dick and they were married June 17, 1951, friends and family kidded her about robbing the cradle.

“Shoot, I didn’t turn four years old until February 1952,” he said with a laugh.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.