David ‘Tony’ Apple Sr.

David Anthony Apple Sr. “Tony,” 64, embraced his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his arms on Sept. 8, 2016, 2:58 p.m., in Tulsa surrounded by his family who loved him deeply. After a long and valiant battle with early onset of Alzheimers, he succumbed to double pneumonia.
Born October 9, in the year of our Lord, 1951 in Kinta to Frank Apple a 28-year-old farmer and his young bride of 20, Margaret (Peevyhouse) Apple. He had six sisters and three brothers (one of which died at birth). He attended school until the eighth grade, at which time he withdrew and started his working career.
Married and divorced two times before meeting the love of his life at age 28 was 17-year-old Sharon Renee Cravens, from Arkansas living in Stigler. They were married at the Justice of the Peace in Durant on Oct. 29, 1980. A marriage lasting 33 years and a bond that will last forever.
He served nine years active duty and three years Reserve in the Army. He was badly burned in a training exercise in which he spent several months on ice and received several skin grafts, an incident so traumatic on his mind and body his doctors believed it could have contributed to the Alzheimers disease. He made a full recovery and finished his enlistment.
As his military career came to a close, he took on his role as husband and father in civilian life with a steadfastness and drive that is common to his family and heritage. He was born again into the Kingdom of God in the year of our Lord, 1988, at Antioch Holiness Church in Stigler.
Tony is survived by the mother of his children, Sharon Sharpe of Stigler, his son, David Anthony Apple Jr. and wife, Kimberly, of Stigler; his two daughters, Vanessa Renee Apple and fiancée Austin Lumpkin of Fort Hood, Texas, Kristy Smith and husband Nathan of Bailey Colo.;  11 grandchildren, Dylan Clayton of Oklahoma City, Mikayla Hiser and husband, Collyn, of Stigler, Taylor Apple of Fort Hood, Texas,  Haele Apple of Stigler, Blake Apple of Fort Hood, Texas, Faith Apple of Stigler, Barret Smith of Bailey, Colo., Blair Apple of Stigler, Logan Smith of Bailey Colo., Madison Smith of Bailey Colo., Lincoln Smith of Bailey Colo. (still in mommy’s womb) will make his debut on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, one day after Papa’s 65th birthday; siblings, Joan Lynch of Stigler, Kay Terrell of Stigler, Mike Apple and wife, Shirley, of Stigler, Cheryl Hamby and husband, John, of Keota, Barbara Porter and husband, Donnie, of McCurtain, Karen Terrell and husband, Glen, of Kinta, Cindy Roberts and husband, Freddy, of McCurtain, Kenneth Apple and wife, Donna, of Stigler; very special sister-in-law, Linda Joyce Cravens; numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much;  special friends, Billy Taylor, Kerry Lowe, Lisa Sloan and his ole dog, “Blue.”
Tony was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jack and Lottie Apple; his maternal grandparents, Roye Jackson and Louise Peeveyhouse; his parents, Frank and Margaret Apple; an infant brother Christopher Keith Apple.
Services were held Sept. 12 at First Baptist Church in Stigler. Brother Mike Newberry officiated. Eulogist was Brother Billy Taylor.  
Pallbearers were Kenneth Apple, Nathan Smith, Troy Hendrix, Donnie Porter, Taylor Apple, Blake Apple. Honorary pallbearers were Rowdy Mayhall, Freddy Roberts, William Cravens, John Hamby, Charlie Davis and Jake Apple. Special sentiments were read by Haele Apple and David Apple.  
Burial followed at Antioch Cemetery under the direction of King and Shearwood Funeral Home in Stigler.
Memorial donation suggestion, any Alzheimer research.
“A simple man, simply laid to rest.” Three words that sum up Tony’s life, David, Vanessa and Kristy.