West Grove resident Jack Merritt, a consultant and a private pilot, has been crowned Mr. Mature America 2019, writes Maddy Vitale for OCNJ Daily.

Merritt, 69, took first place out of five 55-and-older gentlemen in a show hosted by Barbara Eden, who is best known for her starring role in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The show took place at Ocean City Music Pier over the weekend.

Merritt wowed the audience and jury as he played his guitar and sang Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.”

He also won the interview question thanks to his unwavering dedication to animals. He rescues animals as part of a program called Pilots N Paws. This nonprofit has already rescued more than 100,000 animals to date.

Merritt and his wife Julia own Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue in West Grove, along with their six children.

“I didn’t think I was going to win,” Merritt said after the show.

The newly crowned Mr. Mature America said that he is excited about his reign and everything he will be doing over the next year in Ocean City as its ambassador.

Read more about Mr. Mature America 2019 from OCNJ Daily here.

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