Obituary: Longtime Boy Scout Supporter George W. Applegate

George W. Applegate, husband of longtime Board of Education member Eva Applegate and a major supporter of Wall Township scouting programs, died at Laurelton Village Nursing Home, Brick, on Nov. 29. He was 85.

Applegate was born in Arlington, Massachusetts, to Harry and Frances Sophia Applegate. He was a graduate of Arlington High School, Mass. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physics from Monmouth College, according to his obituary, posted on the Orender Funeral Home website.

Applegate entered military service after high school in 1945. He served in the United States Navy and received the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Medal. He continued to serve his country through the United States Navy reserves as a Chief Warrant Officer, W-4. He was recalled to active duty twice and served during the Berlin Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He continued his service until 1982 when he was given an honorable discharge after 32 years of service, the obituary says.

He was also a Life Member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 87. Applegate was employed at Fort Monmouth as a Research Physicist for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1984, the obituary says.

Applegate was active with the Boy Scouts of America for many years and was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award -- the highest recognition a local council can bestow upon a volunteer, the obituary says.

Applegate held many positions in the Boy Scouts Monmouth Council Thunderbird District, including Unit Commissioner, Round Table Commissioner and Member of District Committee. He was the Camp Master Coordinator at Quail Hill Scout Reservation, according to the obituary.

Applegate was the Cub Master of Pack 78, West Belmar; Scoutmaster of Troop 194, Wall Township; Webelos Leader, Pack 82 Allenwood and Troop 59 Committee Member in Manasquan. He was Order of Arrow, and volunteered at the Service Center in Oakhurst. He was a member of the Laurelton Park Baptist Church in Brick, NJ, according to the obituary.

Applegate is survived by his son, Howard and his wife Janet Applegate of Wall Township, NJ; Scott and his wife Lisa Applegate of Hamilton, NJ; and Sharon Applegate Long of Brick Township. He had seven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Victoria, Matthew, Ryan, Eric, Aimee and Cadi, the obituary says.

Applegate is also survived by his sisters Ada DeNucci of West Long Branch and Laura Reynolds of Woodruff, South Carolina. He is predeceased by his parents Harry and Frances Sophia Applegate; siblings Harry and James Applegate; Ella Guker and Lilly Maxson, according to the obituary.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road.

Funeral services are scheduled Monday evening at 8 p.m. Interment is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Brig. Gen. William C Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, according to the obituary.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of his great respect to the Boy Scouts of America, the family has asked for donations to the following scouting organizations: BSA Troop 82 of Allenwood, 1815 Carmerville Road, Wall, NJ 07719; BSA Troop 333, 2806 Buchanan Street, Wall, NJ 07719 and BSA Troop 59, 68 Virginia Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736.

To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.