Celebrating the life of
Gene Appleton
June 20, 1934 - February 01, 2009
GENE APPLETON
Gene Appleton, of Bluffton, S.C., formerly Kokomo, Indiana, died Feb 1 at 12:15pm of respiratory complications related to a 20yr battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma surrounded by family and loving Christian friends at Memorial Hospital in Savanna. He was 74 years of age.
Born June 20, 1934 in Logansport, Indiana, Gene Arthur Appleton was awarded a basketball scholarship at Purdue University going on to a rewarding career with General Motors, Delco Electronics Division, primarily as General Manager-Special Projects during a period which spawned the electronic era in automobiles. His achievements and successes were heralded by management enabling his early retirement in 1987.
Beloved Gene is survived by Jenny, his bride of 55 yrs, two children Barry and Dawn, seven grandchildren Heather, Jeremy, Amber, Grant, Evan, Leslie and Elizabeth and one great-grandson Jackson. Through his devotion to Christ, Gene touched the lives of hundreds while serving our Lord as Deacon, Leader in biblical studies, and Mentor in numerous prayers groups, pre-marital counseling of singles and college-aged church members, and veterans. Locally, Gene and Jenny were members of Savannah Christian Church. His devotion embraced fellow Christians around the world and, with Jenny, he travelled to Rome, Jerusalem, et al in praise of the Lord and Christ. He was loved by all and dearly missed until we meet again. Goodwill, dedication, and compassion embraced his daily life. God speed, Gene, and peace for Eternity.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Imagine Campaign, in Honor of Gene Appleton at Savannah Christian Church; 55 Al Henderson Blvd, Savannah GA, 31419.
Visitation will be held at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel Tuesday February 3, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at Savannah Christian Church, at 10am, Wednesday February 4, 2009 with Pastor Cam Huxford officiating.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
Please sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com
We were so sorry to hear of Gene'e passing. He was a wonderful, loving man and disciple of Christ. He touched many, including us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Doug, Shannon, Jacob and Landon
- Doug and Shannon Walters, Little River, SC
Jenny ------so sorry to hear this sad news -- Just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers ODPC------Barbara Walker
- Barbara Walker, N Myrtle Beach, SC
Jennie, We love the Appletons! The love for Christ and servant's heart are what best describes Mr. Gene. Our family was always greeted with love, kindness, and hugs while at SCC and Mr. Gene and you were always at the forefront. We will miss Mr. Gene and our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love and miss you! The book of Acts describes the church as sharing life together in community. You and your family are those key figures in community that helped the church grow in great numbers. We miss our family and friends at SCC and our deepest sympathies are with you as we share life together in community...We love you! -Guy and Dani Weaver STL, MO
- Guy Weaver, St. Louis, MO
Ginny, With tears of both joy and sadness in our hearts for we know that your Gene is truly at home in the embrace of almighty God . . . We love you! Sue and Jim Forrest
- Jim & Sue Forrest, Longs, SC
Jenny, you and Gene made such an impact on my life during our time at ODPC. I've always loved hearing from you over the years and the occasional drop in at ODPC. I'm sure it brings warmth to your heart to know that Gene was one of the finest men a lot of us will ever know. I will call you soon! With love, prayers, and sympathy, Wendy McCauley
- Wendy McCauley, Myrtle Beach, SC
Jennie, Words cannot express the love I have for you and Gene. I have missed you guys in N Myrtle Beach. I know that one day we will all be together in our eternal home. I'm sure Paul is happy to see Gene. He would not be with Christ if it wasn't for you and Gene. I can only imagine the smiles and laughter with Christ, that they are having now. Love and Prayers to you and your family, Debbie
- Debbie Denny, N Myrtle Beach, SC
My wife and I are among the many who had the privelage of calling Gene a friend and mentor in Christ. God bless you and keep you my dear friend.
- Tyson Taylor, Princeton, NJ
Jenny, We are so sorry to hear of Gene's death. His Christian witness made a true impact on us all! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Sue and Chris Tanner, Little River, SC
Gene/Dad, Father, Mentor, Brother, Friend, I am a better Christian, and a stronger woman in Christ, because of your Love and your example. God just gained a powerful Angel. Until we meet again. I Love You! Jody ps: Be sure and hug Jesus' neck for me.<><
- Jody Stanton, Cocoa Beach, FL
Jennie,Dawn , Barry and family . WOW what a man! Jennie I want to thank you so much for sharing Gene with me and so many other blessed people. When I read JAMES and hear of putting our FAITH into action GENE is what I think of . I can not remember of a time when I was around Gene and he was not witnessing to someone. God used Gene in so many incredible ways ,what a faithful and humble servant he was and will continue to be through all he meet. Gene I will miss you so much our talks and the wisdom that I received from you because you loved me. I am truly a better man because of you GENE APPLETON. WOW what a great day in Heaven it must be ,The celebration... The rejoicing ... The Praising... one of Gods greatest disciples has finished his race and is home with his Heavenly father Now. Until we meet again Gene ,I love you. Keith Thrift and family 'for we are letters of Christ ,not written in ink but with the holy spirit.not on stones or tablets but in our hearts and action' 2corinthians3:3 Gene thank you for bringing that verse to life for me
- Keith Thrift, Pooler, GA
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free. Finally Gene will get to meet all those he wanted 'one more for Jesus' He has touched more lives that he will ever know and now he will get to meet a few of them until we all see him again and rejoice with our Father in heaven.
- Elizabeth Williams Domingo, St Simons Island, GA
One of my first memories I had of Gene Appleton was the day of my brother's funeral service in Jan 2006. A group of Savannah Christians travelled to Charleston, SC to express their condolences to me and my family. Their prescense made a huge impact on my life and reaffirmed my decision to convert from Catholicism to Evangelical Christian. See I converted a month earlier to Christianity a month earlier in December 2005 and I was still new to the faith and unaware of what it truly means to be a Christian and here was Gene who really didn't know me or my family expressing their feelings. Every time my wife and I spent time with Gene and his wife, Jenny, I learned more and more what a true Christian is and should be. He will be sorely missed.
- Val Domingo, St. Simons Island, GA
We were so sorry to hear of Gene'e passing. He was a wonderful, loving man and disciple of Christ. He touched many, including us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Doug, Shannon, Jacob and Landon
- Doug and Shannon Walters, Little River, SC
Jenny ------so sorry to hear this sad news -- Just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers ODPC------Barbara Walker
- Barbara Walker, N Myrtle Beach, SC
Jennie, We love the Appletons! The love for Christ and servant's heart are what best describes Mr. Gene. Our family was always greeted with love, kindness, and hugs while at SCC and Mr. Gene and you were always at the forefront. We will miss Mr. Gene and our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love and miss you! The book of Acts describes the church as sharing life together in community. You and your family are those key figures in community that helped the church grow in great numbers. We miss our family and friends at SCC and our deepest sympathies are with you as we share life together in community...We love you! -Guy and Dani Weaver STL, MO
- Guy Weaver, St. Louis, MO
Ginny, With tears of both joy and sadness in our hearts for we know that your Gene is truly at home in the embrace of almighty God . . . We love you! Sue and Jim Forrest
- Jim & Sue Forrest, Longs, SC
Jenny, you and Gene made such an impact on my life during our time at ODPC. I've always loved hearing from you over the years and the occasional drop in at ODPC. I'm sure it brings warmth to your heart to know that Gene was one of the finest men a lot of us will ever know. I will call you soon! With love, prayers, and sympathy, Wendy McCauley
- Wendy McCauley, Myrtle Beach, SC
Jennie, Words cannot express the love I have for you and Gene. I have missed you guys in N Myrtle Beach. I know that one day we will all be together in our eternal home. I'm sure Paul is happy to see Gene. He would not be with Christ if it wasn't for you and Gene. I can only imagine the smiles and laughter with Christ, that they are having now. Love and Prayers to you and your family, Debbie
- Debbie Denny, N Myrtle Beach, SC
My wife and I are among the many who had the privelage of calling Gene a friend and mentor in Christ. God bless you and keep you my dear friend.
- Tyson Taylor, Princeton, NJ
Jenny, We are so sorry to hear of Gene's death. His Christian witness made a true impact on us all! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Sue and Chris Tanner, Little River, SC
Gene/Dad, Father, Mentor, Brother, Friend, I am a better Christian, and a stronger woman in Christ, because of your Love and your example. God just gained a powerful Angel. Until we meet again. I Love You! Jody ps: Be sure and hug Jesus' neck for me.<><
- Jody Stanton, Cocoa Beach, FL
Jennie,Dawn , Barry and family . WOW what a man! Jennie I want to thank you so much for sharing Gene with me and so many other blessed people. When I read JAMES and hear of putting our FAITH into action GENE is what I think of . I can not remember of a time when I was around Gene and he was not witnessing to someone. God used Gene in so many incredible ways ,what a faithful and humble servant he was and will continue to be through all he meet. Gene I will miss you so much our talks and the wisdom that I received from you because you loved me. I am truly a better man because of you GENE APPLETON. WOW what a great day in Heaven it must be ,The celebration... The rejoicing ... The Praising... one of Gods greatest disciples has finished his race and is home with his Heavenly father Now. Until we meet again Gene ,I love you. Keith Thrift and family 'for we are letters of Christ ,not written in ink but with the holy spirit.not on stones or tablets but in our hearts and action' 2corinthians3:3 Gene thank you for bringing that verse to life for me
- Keith Thrift, Pooler, GA
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free. Finally Gene will get to meet all those he wanted 'one more for Jesus' He has touched more lives that he will ever know and now he will get to meet a few of them until we all see him again and rejoice with our Father in heaven.
- Elizabeth Williams Domingo, St Simons Island, GA
One of my first memories I had of Gene Appleton was the day of my brother's funeral service in Jan 2006. A group of Savannah Christians travelled to Charleston, SC to express their condolences to me and my family. Their prescense made a huge impact on my life and reaffirmed my decision to convert from Catholicism to Evangelical Christian. See I converted a month earlier to Christianity a month earlier in December 2005 and I was still new to the faith and unaware of what it truly means to be a Christian and here was Gene who really didn't know me or my family expressing their feelings. Every time my wife and I spent time with Gene and his wife, Jenny, I learned more and more what a true Christian is and should be. He will be sorely missed.
- Val Domingo, St. Simons Island, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
