Tulsa Man Celebrates 97th Birthday

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Birthdays are a really big deal when you are young, not so much through middle age and then they become a big deal again later in life.

A Tulsa man, Finis Riggs, celebrated a big birthday -- his 97th -- Monday night on his regular league bowling night at Sheridan Lanes.

Riggs bowls for the Highland Park Christian church league.

Riggs said most people don't think he looks 97.

"They wanna see my social security card when I tell them how old I am," said Finis Riggs.

Riggs says he used to carry about a 189 average, but gave up bowling to fish and play golf when he retired. Now he's back at it again.

"If I'm having pretty good luck, I can have a 120 or 125," said Riggs.

Monday evening wasn't all about bowling – there was lots of birthday cake.

"I've had cake two or three times already," said Riggs.

It's not every day you know someone who reaches 97 years.

He's a regular member of the "All in the Family Team" in the Highland Park Church league. At the end of the season, the league divides the money they've accumulated among several charities and mission groups.

Rick Wells asked Riggs if he thought bowling had anything to do with making it to 97-years-old. Riggs said he thought it was luck.

Finis Riggs bowled three games Monday night -- a 107, a 119 and a 104 -- all well above his 92 average.

Happy Birthday!