At 97 years old, James Alderson walks the halls of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee with the quiet confidence of someone who’s lived many lives—and still has more to give. Twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, he volunteers with a smile, guiding patients to Medical Records or calming their nerves on their way to an appointment. “Some come in nervous,” he says, “but leave happy.” He just recently celebrated his 22nd year as a volunteer for the Shawnee hospital in Oklahoma.
Alderson began volunteering at the hospital at age 75, after retiring from St. Benedict Catholic Church, where he spent 17 years mopping floors, waxing and tending to the yard—earning “Yard of the Month” twice. Before that, he drove a truck. His work has always been humble, but his presence has never been small.
Born 25 miles south of Nashville and growing up on a farm, Alderson’s journey has taken him far from the Tennessee countryside. He served in the Army during the Korean War, raised a family and even spent 18 years in Las Vegas. “My brother wanted me to go to Las Vegas,” he recalled. “So I packed up my wife and two kids and we went.” Vegas was exciting—he saw the Supremes, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley—but eventually, the country called him home. “After 18 years, I told my brother, ‘I'm leaving and going home.’”
Home became Oklahoma, where a realtor showed him around and a priest at St. Benedict’s gave him a job—despite some initial resistance. “All of the elder ladies said I was probably a sinner because I lived in Las Vegas,” he said with a grin. “But they needed someone to do the work, so he gave me the job.”
Alderson said he was the first non-Catholic Black man to work there. He later converted to Catholicism, embracing the community that once doubted him. He even had a part in a local stage production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
His wife, a teacher for St. Benedict’s Head Start program, passed away five years ago after nearly 25 years of marriage. His daughter is a nurse, his son works in retail and his granddaughter—who volunteered at the hospital this past summer—is a flag girl at Shawnee High School.
Volunteering at the hospital gives Alderson the opportunity to get out of the house, meet people, and learn new things. When he’s not volunteering, he goes to Mass. “At least I don’t have to mow any more yards,” he joked.
Alderson fondly remembers his friend and fellow volunteer, John Merrill, who passed away at 105. “As long as heaven will let me,” Alderson said, “I’ll keep volunteering. I’m doing fine. I’m six foot tall, weigh 180 pounds, and the doc said I’m healthy.”
James Alderson’s story is one of resilience, faith and quiet joy. He’s not just a volunteer—he’s a living bridge between generations, a reminder that purpose doesn’t retire, and that kindness, like Alderson himself, can keep showing up.
