Dr. Gerald L. Appelgate

October 15, 1933 - December 16, 2017

Gerald L. Appelgate, 84, went home to be with the Lord at 11:56 pm December 16, 2017 at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, October 15, 1933, he was a graduate of Oklahoma State University and was a Korean war veteran serving from 1953 – 1955. After discharge from the service, Jerry returned to school, Oklahoma State University and completed his veterinarian degree, opening his veterinary practice in 1960. During the next eight years as a practicing veterinarian he served his community specializing in both large and small animals. In 1968, he entered into the veterinarian pharmaceutical industry serving with multiple companies ending is career with Pfizer Pharmaceutical in 1993. In 1994, he purchased a farm in Eufaula, Oklahoma beginning a cattle operation at which he was very successful closing out this phase of his life in 2010. Jerry and his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy), moved to Spout Springs, Virginia in 2015 to be near members of his wife’s family. Jerry was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and was active as a Bible Study leader and a member of the Personnel Committee. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eula Appelgate and his previous wife, Ruth Anne McCuistion. Surviving him in addition to his wife Elizabeth (Betsy Jones), of 34 years are four daughters, Sheri Little of Oregon, Leslie Evans of Montana, Victoria Varma of California and Robin Wilson and husband, Dan of Illinois; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and one sister, Charlcie Been and husband, Fred of Broken Arrow, OK along with many nieces and nephews. The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 7, 2018 in Shelby Hills Cemetery with Rev. William Reid officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one’s favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of Mr. Appelgate.