More detail on this person: CAPE CANAVERAL John Chic Applegate, 59, died on Tuesday,
October 28, 2008 on his sailboat. John was a man with many loves: the sea, flying, nature, music,
poetry, travel, adventure, surfing, and of course, the people that he shared his life with. He was
born in Richmond, KY and moved to Cape Canaveral, FL at age seven. He graduated from Cocoa Beach
High School and briefly attended college in California. He served his country in Vietnam for three
years as a helicopter pilot. The crucible of war created lifelong friendships with his fellows of
the 282 division of Black Cat assault helicopter pilots. He continued as a commercial helicopter
pilot until he retired. Growing up near the beach and surfing sparked his love for the sea, but
becoming the captain of Mandala, a 50 foot sail boat truly engaged his spirit of adventure and
respect and appreciation for Mother Nature. He lived aboard and sailed the seven seas for many
years. Johns family and friends were his greatest treasure. He was preceded in death by his son,
Gabriel; his mother, Cynthia Lynn Applegate; his sister, Billie Lynn Miller, and his father, Charles
F. Applegate. He is survived by his son, Destin Applegate; his fiance, Jewel Eggers; brother, Don
Applegate; and cherished nieces, nephews, and dear friends. The indignities of war and the loss of
his 15 year old son, Gabriel, left him deeply scarred, but his enduring spirit shined through and he
was dearly loved and will be missed. Services will be held at Wylie- Baxley Funeral Home in
Rockledge, FL at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 1st.
Published in FLORIDA TODAY on Oct. 31, 2008
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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