John Roland Appell, Sr.

John Roland Appell, Sr. September 23, 1923 - January 9, 2011 John Roland Appell, Sr. of Waco passed away Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Providence Hospital. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13, at First United Methodist Church of Waco with the Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 12, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Johnny was born September 23, 1923 in Waco, Texas to John and Frances Appell. He graduated from Waco High in 1941, where he lettered in basketball and track, and then attended Baylor University, where he played basketball and baseball. He was just a teen-ager at Waco High in the 1930's when he was invited to play with the long-established R.C. Cola team in Waco's Major League Division. Johnny played baseball for the Waco Dons and the Big State League. After that, he played semi-pro softball which resulted in a World's Championship in 1951. He was inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a Sergeant in U.S. Army during WWII as an MP. He was president of the Baylor Waco Foundation in 1977, a member of the Letterman's Club, and the Baylor Bear Foundation. Johnny was a 75 year member of First United Methodist Church of Waco and was chairman of many committees and boards; and he led the fundraising drive in 1962 to move the church to its present location. He was co-owner of Gene Ives Acoustic and Tile Co. for 20 years. He retired in 1985. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Beth Appell; son, John Roland Appell, Jr. of Waco; and daughter, Suzanne Appell of Arlington, TX. Pallbearers are Don Barnett, Billy Jackson, Rusty Sample, Jack Stewart, Jr., Dick Wooten and Don Young. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Bob Walker and Paul Marable, Sr. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels at First United Methodist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey