95-Year-Old Cecil Lockhart Becomes Oldest Organ Donor in US History

[May 13, 2021: Josh Shavit]

Cecil Lockhart leaves a remarkable legacy. The 95-year-old, who died on May 4 and gave his liver to a woman in her sixties, became the oldest organ donor in United States history, according to the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE).

“CORE is incredibly proud to have been able to make this historic organ donation possible,” said Susan Stuart, CORE president & CEO. “This landmark in the field of transplantation is just another example of CORE’s pioneering legacy and commitment to innovation, which, over the last 40 years, has given 6,000 people in the United States the opportunity to save more than 15,000 others as organ donors.”

Lockhart, who hailed from Welch, West Virginia, was a proud coal miner who worked in the mines for more than 50 years, said his family. He also served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II, according to KSBY6 News.

Lockhart’s family said he chose to become an organ donor over 10 years ago after his son Stanley passed away and helped heal 75 lives through tissue and cornea donation following his death.

“When my brother was a donor after he passed away a few years ago, it helped my dad to heal,” she said. “And today, knowing his life is continuing through others really is helping us through our grief, too.”

“He was a generous person when he was alive, and we are filled with pride and hope knowing that, even after a long, happy life, he is able to continue that legacy of generosity,” Cecil’s daughter, Sharon White, said.

At Lockhart's funeral, the family told CORE that they asked everyone to register as an organ donor to honor their father's memory, KSBY reported.

Lockhart is survived by his wife of 75 years, Helen, his daughter, Sharon, and son Brian Lockhart, and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

For more information about CORE, or to register as an organ, tissue and cornea donor, click here.

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