Michael Keith Applewhite, 60, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Monday, September 4, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville. He was born on September 27, 1956 in Washington, DC to the late Thomas Newman Applewhite Jr. and Margaret Elaine Cofield Applewhite. The family moved to the Cedar Hills area of Jacksonville when he was seven years old. He attended Cedar Hills Elementary School, Jeb Stuart Middle School and Nathan B. Forrest High School. His family moved to Fernandina Beach in 1972, placing Michael in the 1974 graduating class of Fernandina Beach High School. He continued his education, graduating with a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and then worked at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort for a short time. Michael returned to college and graduated from Calhoun School in Baltimore, Md. with a bachelor of arts in engineering. After graduating from the Calhoun School, he began working as a merchant seaman until he retired in 2012, after spending 25 years in the high seas.
While working as a merchant seaman and being home on days off and after retirement; he worked in the family business “Five Points Package Store,” which his parents had purchased from Aubrey Williams in the mid-1980s.
He enjoyed fishing, NASCAR racing, being an avid fan of Jimmie Johnson and the Florida State Seminoles. He was an active supporter of numerous local charities.
Mr. Applewhite’s parents passed away in 2011.
He leaves behind his children, Thomas Michael Applewhite and Sarah Elizabeth Applewhite, both of Yulee, Hannah Clements of Jacksonville, Anthony Clements of Jacksonville and Carl Everett Crabtree (Traci); siblings, Deborah Wickless of Fernandina Beach, Sharon Phillips of Hermitage, Tenn., Douglas Applewhite (Jody) of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Nevaeh and Cameron Clements and Courtney Crabtree; and several nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Oxley-Heard.
Mr. Applewhite will be laid to rest with his parents in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors