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Jose Andrade, an Albuquerque crossing guard and body builder, looks back at his first 100 years. Watch »

Photo by Steven St. JohnTribune

Tribune

"Exercise is good for the soul," says Jose Andrade, who celebrated his 100th birthday this month with nearby family, including his youngest daughter, Alina Macias (above). Here he talks to one of his children in Spain on the phone.

Photo by Steven St. JohnTribune

Tribune

Jose Andrade, a school-crossing guard at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, holds a picture of his younger self as a champion bodybuilder. Andrade, who turned 100 on Friday, was named Mr. Albuquerque and Mr. New Mexico in the '50s.

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When Jose Andrade was younger, he was a boxer and competitive bodybuilder whose muscles earned him the titles of Mr. Albuquerque and Mr. New Mexico.

Now, at 100, Andrade still is working those muscles at the gym every other day.

Andrade, who credits his longevity to physical activity, is not about to let his age slow him down.

"Exercise is good for the soul," he said.

Last Saturday, he celebrated his birthday, which was on Friday, with a couple hundred of his closest friends and family.

His daughter, Lourdes Andrade-Giron, said her father's children range in age from 34 to 76. She's one of the youngest of his children.

Andrade had 23 children — 18 with his first wife and five with his second wife. He outlived his wives and 10 of his children. He has 140 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

"My father said he took God literally when he said to procreate," she said laughing.

Man of many trades

Andrade was born Dec. 14, 1907, in Jalisco, Mexico. He moved to New Mexico in 1918 when he was 11 years old.

His first job was at Presbyterian Hospital pharmacy, where he made deliveries on his bike to TB patients. He would earn a penny for each delivery.

Andrade said in his youth he was so adamant about exercise that he joined local bodybuilding contests.

He touts his biggest accomplishments as winning two titles: Mr. Albuquerque in 1950 and Mr. New Mexico in 1951.

Despite raising his children during the Depression, they say now they never went without.

Other jobs Andrade has held throughout the years were auto mechanic, private in the New Mexico National Guard and a radio announcer for KABQ.

He helped former TV anchor Nelson Martinez get his start.

Martinez said when he graduated from high school, his first job was at KABQ in 1965.

Andrade, who was general manager at the time, knew Martinez had no radio experience but decided to hire him anyway.

"He was king at KABQ as far as I was concerned," Martinez said.

Martinez said he learned from the best.

"He (Andrade) would encourage me," Martinez said. "I was on cloud nine every time he'd compliment me because he was a seasoned guy."

It would appear the word retired is not part of Andrade's vocabulary.

Sonny Andrade, 76, said his dad is constantly on the move.

"I think my dad had always been active," he said. "He's always watched his health."

Andrade has spent the last 15 years working as a school crossing guard at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

A few months ago, even Motor Vehicle Division officials couldn't hold him back.

Andrade went to get his license, and MVD employees wouldn't give one to him.

Andrade (who is known to have an iron heel while he is driving) passed the driving test with flying colors.

He told MVD officials he works as a school-crossing guard and he needed his license to get to work.

They finally relented. Andrade got his license.

A prolific life

Andrade-Giron and son Sonny Andrade said their father lives to help others.

When he was in his 80s, he was in the hospital for a double bypass surgery. He was helping the patients when the doctors and nurses were busy.

"He was fluffing up their pillows and getting them water and adjusting their beds to make them comfortable," said Andrade-Giron.

Whether working out, helping children cross the street or driving his car, Andrade said he is thankful to be alive.

And he just might have many years ahead of him: his own father lived to be 104.

His children feel the same way and hope to celebrate yet another birthday with their father.

"I feel like a rich person. I feel grateful and am honored to keep my father this long," said Sonny Andrade.