What’s the key to a long life? 101-year-old Las Cruces man says ‘don’t die’

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A Las Cruces man celebrated his 101st birthday with family, friends who came in from around the southwest and all the birthday trimmings.

Wearing a hat proudly displaying his age, Roy Finley enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream Wednesday with his fellow residents at Haciendas at Grace Village, an assisted living facility.

Finley has lived in New Mexico for 62 years, having spent 50 of those in Alamogordo where he was a metal worker at Holloman Air Force Base.

During his time at Holloman, Finley was involved in the building of the high-speed sled that was tested during the era when the U.S. was exploring how to get man to the moon.

When asked his secret to such a long life, Finely simply replied: "Just don't die."