COLUMBUS

Ralph Eugene “Gene” Applewhite, 86, of Columbus passed away at 3:08 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

Born Aug. 4, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of James and Aletha Hall Applewhite, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Dorothy Joan Woods, who preceded him in death in 1995. Gene was a longtime companion of Janet Evans, from 1974 until her death in 2012.

Gene graduated from Brownstown High School and attended Hanover College. He was an avid golfer and lifetime member of the Elks Club, holding the office of exalted ruler.

Gene loved watching IU basketball and the Colts. He was a master griller throughout the entire year, not letting the cold weather be a deterrent.

Gene worked with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department from 1965 to 1972 and was a special deputy with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department from 1972 to 1981. He also was a Kentucky Colonel.

Gene worked 37 years in advertising specialties at Winters Associates in Bloomington where he was top salesman for numerous years throughout the decades of his service. This included an unprecedented milestone career achievement for sales success in 2007. He never met a stranger.

Survivors include his sons, Andy Applewhite and Erik (Barb) Applewhite, both of Seymour; stepdaughters, Lynn Evans (John) Coleman of Columbus and Karen Evans of Terre Haute; a sister, Nancy Applewhite Brown of Naples, Florida; and grandchildren Allison Baker, Winter Applewhite and Kasey Evans and Maggie Evans.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Applewhite; granddaughter, Autumn Applewhite; a daughter-in-law, Jane Applewhite; and a stepson, John Evans.

A celebration of life luncheon with family and friends will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.