Jack Applewhite

Jack Thomas Applewhite passed away on March 27, 2010, at the age of 65 leaving behind his devoted wife of 40 years Joyce, sons Brian and Eric, daughter in law Stephanie, and many, many friends.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he was raised by his mother after his father's bomber was lost in World War II before he was born. As a kid, Jack helped his great uncle work his farm in Blue Mountain, Mississippi where he learned to fish and hunt. In High School, Jack joined Air Force ROTC, got his pilot's license, and was on the State Champion Rifle Drill team. He was a proud alumnus of Memphis State where he majored in Botany and spent his summers working on a shrimp boat in the Gulf and as a fire spotter for the National Park Service in the western US. Jack liked to explore and was an avid spelunker until he joined the Air Force. He brought his love of two-beat New Orleans jazz , country and all music north with him after he enlisted. Jack volunteered to serve in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for Valor. He worked in munitions and ordinance and earned the nickname "the whistler" for his habit of quietly whistling as he handled American munitions or unexploded devices left by the Vietnamese. A 20+ year career Air Force Major; Jack also served proudly as a Montgomery County Corrections Officer for 14 years. The uniform was important to him and so was living life to its fullest. He traveled the world, spent years living in Japan and Germany, and collected stories and experiences. Jack loved relaying those stories and sharing things he thought would interest people or make them laugh.

A friend says of him that he was equally comfortable talking about NASCAR or nuclear physics. He was an avid reader, especially of history, military history, and science fiction. Jack also loved animals especially his cats. He was an avid firearms enthusiast and collector and enjoyed both modern and black powder shooting as a hobby. Jack used to say that at the end of life that "whoever has the best stories wins". Jack went out a winner. He was a great husband and dad.

The Applewhite family would like to thank friends and loved ones for their support during this time and ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Dayton,324 Wilmington Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45420.

A memorial service will be held 6:00PM Thursday April 1, 2010 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3380 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek. Family will receive friends from 5:00PM until time of service at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held 11:00AM Friday April 2, 2010 at Dayton National Cemetery, 4100 W Third St Dayton, Ohio.