Jimmie Ray Appel Sr

Jimmie Ray Appel Sr, 79, of Amarillo passed away on February 13, 2022.

Mr Appel will lie in state for visitation on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 12pm to 5pm at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 10am in the funeral home’s Brentwood Chapel with Rev. Joe Andrajack presiding. Committal services will follow at 3:30pm in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Shattuck, Oklahoma under the direction of Rev. Gary McClellan.

Jimmie was born on April 22, 1942 in Higgins, Texas to Emanuel and Martha (Renner) Appel. He was a graduate of Darouzett High School and married his beloved wife Maybelle Biebericher on February 13, 1965. Jimmie was a truck driver by trade and greatly enjoyed burning up the highway all over the country until his retirement.

Jimmie loved to dance. He could be found most Saturday nights dancing around with the Amarillo Senior Citizen’s Club wearing out another pair of Tony Llama Ostrich skin boots. When he wasn’t dancing, Jimmie was most often sparking up a conversation with any and every one. He was a “people person” and would hold a conversation as long as anyone would allow. Jimmie never met a stranger, and when he would go to the grocery store, every person there had his order ready and would be on standby to enjoy a good conversation.

The only thing that Jimmie loved more than his chats or dancing was his family. He was a huge family man. Even in their later years he and his siblings still spoke often, and judging by the clock on Saturday they knew exactly who it was when the phone rang. Family meant the world to Jimmie, and he wasn’t afraid to let them know how he felt.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his beloved Maybelle. Those left to cherish his memory are his son Jimmie Ray Appel Jr and wife Tane, grandchildren April Gillum and husband Doug, Jessica Appel, Ryan Appel and wife Elizabeth, and Michael Appel; and his great grandchildren Matthew, Addison, Godric, Avalyne, Hope, and Emberly. Jimmie also leaves behind his sister Margaret Baker, Darlene Stricker and husband Ron, and Ruth Sutherland; his brothers Harry Appel and wife Carole, and Larry Appel and wife Judith, and many other loving family and dear friends, especially his beloved special friend Donna Bessey.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation be made in honor Jimmie Appel Sr to the American Lung Association.