At 100 he's recalling a lifefilled with love and joy

Adam LaRose turned 100 years old this month and has something in common with today's youngsters. The former Lehighton man has his own Wii video game system, which he received at the age of 98.

He likes to play Tiger Woods PGA Tour on the Wii with his friends at Calvary Fellowship Homes Retirement Community in Lancaster. Sometimes he has a good game, but would prefer to play regular golf.

In addition to golf, LaRose enjoys Wii bowling, baseball and strength-fitness games. He also likes to read historical fiction.

Born on March 11, 1911 in Weissport, LaRose is the son of Angelina (Ulshafer) and George Oscar LaRose. He had a sister, Iva, and two brothers, Harold and Kermit, who are both deceased.

In honor of his 100th birthday, he received over 200 congratulatory cards and messages, and family members from near and far traveled to Lancaster to celebrate with him, including his niece Barbara Ahner, and her husband Richard, and his sister-in-law LaRue Manhart and her husband, George, all from Lehighton.

LaRose attended Franklin Independent School District and graduated from the three-year high school at the age of 15. After high school he attended Allentown Business College, graduating in 1928.

He worked at Allentown-Bethlehem Gas Company, a subsidiary of UGI, as an accounts payable clerk and property records clerk.

He married Mildred Pauline Stout, who lived in Big Creek. They met at a card party and married six months later. He says it was love at first sight.

After marrying, LaRose worked as a letter carrier for a year before returning to the gas company, where he became a supervisor of general accounting. In 1949 he was transferred to Lancaster County Gas Co., as a division accounting manager, where he worked for 11 years before being transferred to Reading to set up its computer system.

He retired in 1976 and moved to Calvary Fellowship Homes the following year.

LaRose and his wife had two children: Donald of Centerton, Arkansas, and Sandra Anderson of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He has three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

His wife, Mildred, died on Nov. 2, 2010.

LaRose has been an active member of Calvary Church, serving at various times as Sunday school superintendent, treasurer and member of the Calvary Home committee.

He was also president of the Christian Businessmen's Committee for three years and treasurer of Lancaster Christian School.

He was a member of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Lancaster and the computer methods committee of American Gas Association.