James P. Applegate's Obituary
James P. Applegate, 93, of Mount Laurel, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024. He was born in Camden, NJ, on April 6, 1931, to Ferdinand Laird and Pauline Margaret Applegate. James was the devoted husband of Nancy Applegate (née Tapper) for almost 70 years of marriage (69 years, 9 months), a loving father to Dr. James E. Applegate (Priscilla), and a cherished grandfather to Alexander J. Applegate (Leanna) and Benjamin P. Applegate (Mon’nique). He was also a proud great-grandfather to Rhiannon, Rowan; looking forward to two little ones on the way. James is survived by his brother, Ferdinand L. Applegate Jr., and will be deeply missed by many friends and extended family members.
James served his country with pride as a member of the US Navy during the Korean War, where he was stationed at an experimental airfield in the California desert. After meeting Nancy, the couple settled in Rancocas, where they raised their family for over 40 years before relocating to Rancocas Woods and eventually to Mount Laurel, NJ. James had a fulfilling career as a Building Equipment Mechanic for Bell Telephone in Mount Holly, NJ, where he maintained the company’s large telephone systems and managed the heating and cooling of specialized buildings. After retiring, James spent 20 years driving a school bus for the Wills Bus Company.
Known to his friends and family as a "jack of all trades," James had a remarkable talent for woodworking, plumbing, and electrical work. If he couldn't fix it, it likely wasn't fixable. He was also a proud member of the Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia, contributing to the creation of and sailing their historically accurate Viking Long Boat. In his leisure time, James enjoyed building small military and knight models, working on crossword puzzles, and immersing himself in the works of Churchill, Tolkien and other authors.
The family will be holding private services to honor James' life.
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