Douglas A. Applewhite

Douglas A. Applewhite December 1, 1948 - January 30, 2012 Dr. Douglas "Papi" Applewhite, Sr., age 63, of St. Augustine, died on January 30, 2012 at the Bailey Family Center for Caring in the company of his 3 sons that he loved so much. Dr. Applewhite was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. He graduated from medical school at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in the late 1970s. Later in life he moved to Houston, Texas and served as Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas. In the early 1980's he completed a fellowship in microvascular neurosurgery in Chicago and then returned to Houston to complete a fellowship in head & spine trauma. From the mid 1980s until the turn of the century, Dr. Applewhite had a private practice in Venezuela and in West Virginia. Extremely talented and highly skilled, Dr. Applewhite was very sought after as a surgeon, and successfully treated patients from around the globe, many times taking cases no other surgeons would even consider. In 2000, he "hung up the stethoscope", moved to St. Augustine and returned to his true love: teaching and living a salty, humble life. He briefly served as Professor of Anatomy & Physiology at F.C.C.J. before moving on to St. Johns River State College where his love for academia really flourished. He remained passionately attached to the college until his final days. Dr. Applewhite had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed cross country trips on his motorcycle and spending time with his family. He is survived by his sons, Douglas "Happy" Applewhite, Jr. and his wife Christine, of St. Augustine, Anthony "Tony" Applewhite and Andres "Andy" Applewhite, both of Caracas; sisters, Frances Maman of Caracas, Eileen Applewhite of Germany, Lucy Bourne of West Virginia; brothers, Virgil "Butchi" Applewhite, John Applewhite, and William "Billy" Applewhite, all of Caracas; grandchildren, Isabella Marie Applewhite and Sullivan Antoni Applewhite, both of St. Augustine. A celebration of Dr. Applewhite's life will be held this Friday the 3rd at 6:00 p.m. on the campus of St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Applewhite's memory may be made to a memorial fund for the establishment of a monument at the campus of St. Johns River State College. Checks written to St. Johns Family Funeral Home, memo: Dr. Doug Applewhite Memorial Fund, can be mailed to: 385 State Road 207, St. Augustine, FL. 32084. Let's honor Dr. Applewhite's philosophy, no black or formal attire and please bring your celebratory mood. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.