James Don Apple went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Don was born on January 9, 1937, in Knox, Texas. He graduated from Aledo High School in 1955 and took great care to remain connected with his classmates, specifically traveling to many reunions. Don was a star athlete and played on the Texas Tech Basketball Team for Coach Polk Robison and became lifelong friends with several teammates.
Don had a passion for education and served in several schools over his tenure. He taught and coached basketball at Petersburg ISD, was Principal and Superintendent at Ralls ISD, and served as Superintendent at Childress ISD. He was loved and respected by his students and fellow teachers. Don was presented with the high honor of Outstanding Educational Leadership in 1994 by the Education Service Center Region XVI, and Outstanding Leadership as Superintendent of Childress ISD, as well. After his educational career, Don served as administrator for Pulmonary Associates of Lubbock for many years.
Throughout his professional career, he always made time for his great love of agriculture. Most afternoons, Don was on his farm after school or work, tilling the soil, planting and harvesting his crops until dark or tending to his cattle. After his professional career, Don farmed his land full time until the week before he left us, happily sitting atop his tractor admiring his diligent care and God's creation. He did not believe in retirement. Often, he remarked, "If you are feeling bad, go to work and you will feel better."
Don was an honorable man. As a faithful servant of Christ, he served as Treasurer for his Downtown Bible Sunday School Class for many years and was a devoted member of Southcrest Baptist Church. He was a man of his word and always faithful to his promise. He ensured all his obligations were dutifully fulfilled.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Carrie Apple, his parents-in-law Dr. Roy Ivy Sr. and Mildred, and brother-in-law Dr. David Ivy. Don is survived by his sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, dear friends and his devoted kitty, Miss Molly.
Don was a beloved son, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law and friend who will be sorely missed. The following sentiment marked his life.
In Earthly perfection, The Lord authored man to live and work in Eden, depicting the harmonious and symbiotic relationship between land and its tiller (Gen. 2:15). Solomon reflects in Ecclesiastes, "To everything there is a season. . ." B.C. Forbes echoes this sacred seasonality, "It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn."

In our grief, the Lord kindly reminds us in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-14, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope." Paul writes of this eternal hope, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).