Seniors for Life

At age 84, Colorado resident Takeshi Murata could claim WWII veteran, father to five college-educated children and all-around awesome dude among his list of accomplishments. This week, he was finally able to add one more achievement to the list: a high school diploma.

The octogenarian was awarded his long-elusive high school degree at a University High School board meeting Wednesday evening, a mere 65 years late. "I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart," a smiling Murata told the Greeley (Colo.) Tribune, which reports he fought back tears during the brief presentation.

Murata’s academic drama began in 1944 when the then 18-year-old was drafted to serve in WWII just shy of graduation. Murata, the son of Japanese immigrants, was sent to a military intelligence school in Minnesota, and eventually to Tokyo to serve as an interpreter -- even though he was not fluent in Japanese.

Although the war ended quickly after he arrived in Japan, he remained in the country and married his wife, Chikako, there in 1947. After the wedding the pair promptly moved back to Murata’s hometown and he approached his old high school to get his degree. He argued that his military intelligence classes should qualify him to graduate; school officials disagreed. Murata dropped the issue for decades, instead focusing on his family and farming business.

But last spring University High School teacher Jeanne Lipman learned of Muraka’s plight. Motivated to right a wrong, she found his report cards, got an original diploma from one of Murata's classmates and turned it over to UNC President Kay Norton. Norton was able to have a duplicate diploma made and presented it to Murata Wednesday night. His family, who was present for the ceremony, celebrated with gifts and a cake.

Today, Murata is thrilled he has his degree -- even if the retiree doesn’t technically need it. "This is more than what I would have gotten if I'd graduated in the 1940s," he said. As it should be. He certainly waited long enough.

(Photo by Mary Gober courtesy of stock.xchng)