Col. James “Jim” W. Apple, Jr. USAF (Ret), 81, of Tullahoma passed away Nov. 4, 2024 surrounded by his wife and children. 

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Marylou Apple of Tullahoma. and his children Jim Apple, Courtney (Paxton) Heath, Ben (Jen) Cook, Wendi (Stephen) Pelfrey and John Horst. His grandchildren Maggie (Zach) Haskins, Max Heath, Walker Heath, Winn Heath, Brice Pelfrey, Zena Cook, and Brady Pelfrey.  His brother Bill (Susan) Apple of Kernersville, NC and special copilot Lauren Mason and her precious family.

Jim was born to James W. and Huldah Apple of Reidsville, NC on Jan. 18, 1943. He had over a 30 -year career with AT&T.  However, he was most proud of serving in the USAF, retiring as a Colonel after 30 years. He was a great Patriot and loved his country dearly.

After retirement, Jim found his passion for serving people. In Tullahoma, he was truly the hands of feet of Christ serving with the American Red Cross, FEMA, and Blue Monarch among many other organizations. He equally served a community he dearly loved, Perdido Key, Fla., where he spent four months annually. There, he served as the self-appointed greeter of Johnson Beach National SeaShore and assisted countless others through the service organization, Grumpy Old Men of Perdido Bay Methodist Church.

When Jim wasn’t with his adored family and friends, he could be found at Tullahoma Regional Airport where he’d do “a little bit of something and a whole lotta nothing”.  Whether he was flying, mowing the air strip, solving the world’s problems over coffee or enjoying the sunset, his hangar was his happy place.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Nov. 16 at Tullahoma First Methodist Church in the Family Activity Center located at 208 W. Lauderdale St, Tullahoma, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim’s memory to Blue Monarch PO Box 1207 Monteagle TN, 37356.

Tullahoma News – Nov. 10, 2024