Vernon Lee Appel

August 14, 1938 – August 26, 2021

Vernon was born August 14, 1938, at Kit Carson to Tobias and Freda Appel and passed away August 26, 2021, at the Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs at the age of 83.

Vernon left school in the 8th grade to help his father work on his farm. In 1982 he sold his farm and went back to school and received his GED, and then enrolled in college to get a master’s degree in accounting. After many attempts to get a job in accounting, Vernon returned to college in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and received his second master’s degree. Vernon followed a lifelong ambition to be a minster and, August 14, 1994, he joined the seminary in Fort Wayne.

In July of 1998, Vernon moved to Perryton, Texas, and was installed as Deacon October 19, 1998. He then moved to Shamrock, Texas, in January of 2002 to serve as Deacon in Shamrock and Childress, Texas. Vernon continued as a Deacon in Childress until he was ordained August 14, 2018, and served until he retired April 14, 2021. In August of 2021 Vernon returned to Lamar.

Vernon married Ruby Frey of Holly April 2, 1960, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Abraham Appel, and David Appel; sister, Viola (Appel) Miller and her husband Walter Miller; niece, Barbara Bean; granddaughter, Cassandra (Appel) Gonzales; great-grandson, Dylan Appel; and brothers-in-law, Frank Bean and Sidney Hott.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Ruby (Frey) Appel of Lamar; sons, Ronald (Brooksie) Appel of Pierceville, Kansas, Jerry (Elaine) Appel of Garden City, Kansas, Troy (Julie) Appel of Pueblo, Kevin (Liz) Appel of Holly, and Mike (Paula) Appel of Lamar; daughter, Maria (Edward) Streckfus of Lakin, Kansas; 18 grandchildren, 15 step-grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Bean of Lamar, and Edna (Robert) Oeltjen of Brighton; brothers, Johnnie (Joyce) Appel of Bergstrom, Texas, and Harry (Linda) Appel of Wichita, Kansas; and sister-in-law, Mona (Hott) Appel of Canon City, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and a host of friends.

A celebration of life for longtime Lamar resident Vernon Lee Appel will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Joe Andrewjack officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Fairmount Cemetery in Lamar.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association either direct or in care of the funeral home office.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Peacock Family.