96-Year-Old Pickleball Player Defies Age with Joyful Spirit

At 96, Roy Jacobs continues to embrace an active lifestyle, still playing pickleball and skiing while enjoying life with humor and humility. Now living in Colorado with his daughter and son-in-law, Roy remains vibrant and connected through his love of the game and companionship, including his three dogs.

Originating from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Roy began playing pickleball twelve years ago with a local group of about 100 players, forty of whom regularly participated. When asked about joining the Guinness World Records for oldest competitive pickleball player, he declined, saying,

“I’ve never played that well — maybe I’d get a world record for the worst pickleball player ever.”

Roy Jacobs

A Lifetime Dedicated to Movement and Outdoor Activities

Pickleball is merely the latest expression of Roy’s lifelong enthusiasm for physical activity. His earlier years were filled with tennis, softball, and over sixty years of water skiing at his lake cottage in West Virginia. Once winter approached, Roy shifted gears to snow skiing.

Recalling his skiing journey, he remarked,

“I started snow skiing at 30, and kept at it for about 60 years,”

a passion that extended into volunteer work as a Mountain Host at Beaver Creek ski resort. He explained,

“We weren’t the ski patrol, but we assisted them — answering questions, giving directions, even some first aid when needed. I loved that job.”

Although age has made gearing up for skiing more challenging, Roy plans one downhill run this winter, adding with a grin,

“Just one is enough these days.”

From Skilled Electrician to Marine Corps Instructor

Born in 1929 in Pittsburgh, Roy initially trained as an electrician before being drafted into the Marine Corps during the Korean War in 1951. He had just started wiring a gas station when duty called. Using his electrical skills, he avoided front-line combat by teaching electrical engineering on a base in North Carolina. Reflecting on this period, he noted,

“Trade school might’ve saved my life.”

Balancing Family Life and a Career Built on Hard Work

After his military service, Roy pursued a steadfast career in construction and electrical trades, often working 50 to 60 hours per week. He fondly remembers those years as fulfilling:

“Hard work, good pay, a home, a boat, and lots of fun at the lake.”

Roy is a family man with one daughter, 33-year-old twin grandchildren, and recently welcomed a great-granddaughter born last March. He said with pride,

“Four generations sat down together for dinner this year.”

The Key to Longevity: Sensible Living and Staying Active

When asked about the secret to his long and healthy life, Roy laughs and credits simple common sense:

“I lived sensibly, kept active, never smoked, never drank. Worked hard. That’s all.”

His parents’ lifespans—his father lived to 70 and his mother to 83—reflected modest longevity, but Roy’s continuous active lifestyle combined with perseverance kept him strong. He added,

“I guess I was just sensible — and lucky enough to still be playing pickleball at 96.”

Continuing to Inspire with Energy and Enthusiasm

Roy’s story transcends reflection and embraces ongoing vitality. Whether engaging in pickleball matches, skiing the Rockies, or simply savoring life, he exemplifies how staying physically active nurtures both body and spirit. He says with a playful smile,

“I just want to stay moving — and keep having fun.”

His approach encourages others of all ages to find joy in movement and community connection.