BARTOW, Fla. — J.J. Corbett sat in the front pew at St. James AME Church on Sunday morning, tapping his foot to the upbeat gospel music.

• WWII vet described as community "pillar" receives special honor
• J.J. Corbett, 97, sworn in as honorary deputy sheriff 
• Was sergeant in 1st all-black paratrooper unit during WWII

It’s the place the 97-year-old World War II veteran has drawn his inspiration from for years — an unwavering faith that’s helped him live a very active life of service.

On this particular Sunday, a very special friend sat by his side: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

“Besides praising our God,” said Pastor Shirley Williams-Hayes. “I want to give honor to one of our own.”

That honor was for Corbett.

The sermon paused as he began the Oath of Office for Honorary Deputy Sheriff in front of his beloved congregation.

“Mr. Corbett probably won’t tell you that he’s 97 years old,” Judd said. “... makes him legally able to be a deputy because you have to be at least 19, OK?

The congregation laughed.

“He is the one that this community’s always looked to for wisdom and leadership and guidance,” Judd said. “He’s just an icon and a pillar in our community.”

Accomplishments and Accolades

For Corbett, this is just the latest in a long list of accolades and accomplishments.

He served as a sergeant in the United States Army 55th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the first all-black paratrooper unit during WWII.

After his service, he returned to Polk County, where he taught math and coached track and field at Union Academy and Bartow High School until retiring in 1980.

“I’ve seen a lot. I never thought I’d make it this far. I thought 1980 was a long way off and now here it is, 2020,” Corbett said.

After retirement, he continued to serve on the Polk County School Board and was involved with several nonprofits, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Goodwill, and United Way.

“If this community and this state and this country and this world conducted business and gave back to their communities like Deputy Corbett has, this would be as close to a perfect world as we could have,” Judd said, as he pinned a deputy sheriff badge onto Corbett’s jacket.

Corbett credits his faith for bringing him this far.

“Just trying to make things good for everybody every day,” he said.

Spectrum News asked him what advice he had for the younger generation.

“Be helpful. Find something that you can do to help somebody. And you’ll find that life will be worth living," he said.