Alabama Father, 99, and Son, 80, Become First Ever Pair to Redeem Decades-Old Promise of Free Oysters at Local Oyster House

Jimmy Rush and his 99-year-old father, Jim, finally achieved one of their lifelong goals.

For over 50 years, Jimmy, 80, would visit Wintzell’s Oyster House in downtown Mobile, Alabama, alongside his dad and his younger brother Carl, a tradition that continued even after he moved to Florida.

“My dad and I started riding in a parade at Mardi Gras on Friday nights,” Jimmy told Fox 10 TV. “So we would come down here on Friday afternoon and eat oysters. And that started in 1972.”

Every time the Rush men would visit the oyster house, they would see one sign among the dozens that hung on the walls that promised free oysters to any customer who turns 80 and walks in with their father. Since no one had claimed that reward in the past, Jimmy knew he was about to make history as he approached the milestone birthday.

“I can quote by heart, ‘Free oysters, to any man 80 years old, accompanied by his father,’” Carl, the younger son, said. “So in seeing that sign, we felt like our dad was going to make it to 100 because he’s in great health. We’ve been talking about it as a family for 25, 30 years.”

As soon as Jimmy turned 80, the trio marched down to Wintzell’s Oyster House to be the first to redeem the offer — and the local restaurant followed through on its promise.

“We’d asked the bartender had anyone else did it? No one had. So we said, ‘We’ll be the first,” Jimmy said, to which his dad added, “We’re the number ones.”

After the Rush family made history at the Wintzell’s Oyster House, the restaurant commemorated the moment on social media while wishing Jimmy a happy birthday.

“Most people read that sign behind the bar and laugh,” read a Feb. 23 Facebook post. “But tonight, Jimmy Rush walked in on his 80th birthday with his father, James Rush, 99, right beside him, and turned one of Wintzell’s rarest traditions into a real-life milestone.”

“The Rush family has been part of this place for years, and they didn’t come alone,” the post continued. “A full room of friends, shared memories — and yes, oysters on the house, true to our founder’s promise.”

After inviting around 60 of their closest friends and family members to celebrate the family milestone, Jimmy deemed his 80th birthday the best one yet.

“Never thought about any birthdays except my 80th,” he told Fox 10 TV. “That’s the one I was looking forward to — because of the sign.”

Carl added, “We will be back to do this all over again October of 2028 when I turn 80. My dad says he’s going to make it, so that’s good enough for me.”

As for Jim’s secret to staying healthy at 99 years old? While he admitted that he’s losing some of his vision, the World War Two and Korean War veteran said that he takes no medication and has been “very lucky and very well taken care of through my God.”

Through tears, he added, “It worked out.”

People