87-year-old graduates from Frostproof High School

FROSTPROOF (FOX 13) - An 87-year-old Korean War veteran is going to be graduating with the class of 2018 at Frostproof High School Friday night.

“I am excited about it,” Arthur Cotton told FOX 13. “I wanted the honor of having a high school diploma.”

On Thursday, Cotton was sitting amid a sea of young faces at a graduation practice. He left high school after 10th grade to join the U.S. Marines and serve in Korea.

Cotton earned his G.E.D. in 1965 while working on planes at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C.

A few years ago, he decided he wanted to take it one step further. He contacted the state and took equivalency exams, and passed.

“I think it’s awesome that he stuck to it, especially that he left to serve our country,” said Daniel DeVault, who will be graduating with Cotton before going on to Duke University.

Cotton says his only regret is that his wife of 65 years died not too long ago and she is no longer here to see him finally get his sheepskin.

“She would pat me on the back,” Cotton added.

The ceremony, which is being held at Faris Brannen Stadium in Frostproof, begins at 6 p.m.