Obituary: James E. Appleton Sr.

Obituary: James E. Appleton Sr.

The following obituary was submitted to The Odessa File by the Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, Montour Falls.

James Edward Appleton Sr.

Age 69, of Alpine, NY passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
Jim was born on March 17, 1947 in Elmira to Tracy and Elizabeth (Fuller) Appleton. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Carol Marie, and a brother, Frank.
Jim is survived by his fiancé, Janet States, of Alpine; sons, Jimmy (Sue) Appleton and Tracy (Michelle) Appleton, all of Salisbury, NC, Brad (Sharon) Appleton of Elmira, and Joel (Hope) Appleton of Waverly; grandchildren, Adam of Salisbury, NC, and Angel, Tracy and Cheyenne Appleton of Elmira; siblings, Barbara (Craig) Thompson of Tifton, GA, Dale (Annette) Appleton of Penn Yan, NY, Annette Appleton of Alba, Texas, Dorie Appleton of Dallas, Texas, Joe Payne of Australia and Jude Bishop of Australia; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jim was a mechanic, truck driver and for many years Chief Engineer for several radio stations, including WENY. He was interested in flying planes and was a Ham Radio Operator. He served in the Army from 1964-1967 in Germany and Viet Nam. Jim also served as an EMT and fireman in Troy, PA, where he helped build the radio station, and was a Captain in the Breesport Fire Department.
In honor of Jim’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Gabriel's Calling - Jim Appleton

With great sadness and sorrow of anticipation,

I knew the reason and content of the next phone call from our youngest sister.

100 hours earlier I spoke, knowing you could only listen

Knowing not one word would be spoken, I could but only listen

Through the silence you spoke, and in the silence you still speak

Your voice turns to melody, not answering my words

Conversation begins, in my head not my ears

The heaven's and valley's are erupting in great cheers

Nearly 10 years have passed, since the last words of Mother were spoken

I was so near and you were so far

Today... it is I that am far

 
Through the sadness I know, from one family you pass

Your blood left behind, future history forever cast

You are with the greater family now, for there is no real mystery

You are forever at my side my brother.
I LOVE YOU

James Edward Appleton. 17/3/1947 - 25/8/2016

My Introduction to Electricity

I’ve dabbled in electronics my entire life, both as a hobby and a J-O-B.

Growing up during my adolescent years we lived out in the country in an area we called “Up in the Valley”.  My dad was managing his step uncle’s “Christmas Tree Farm”.  There was about 118 acres of land which had several fields of Christmas trees and each November we would cut down several hundred trees and big trucks would come and take them away for sale.

One of the jobs was to keep the trees trimmed so they had a nice shape when it came time to cut them down.  One of the tools used to do this was called a “lopper”.  This tool was about three feet long and made of heavy metal.  It had a set of very sharp jaws on one end and round wooden handles on the other.

The house we lived in was an old two story wood frame farm house.  I can still recall lying on my bed and looking up into the roof of the house and seeing huge long 10 inch square beams that                              were held together by large round wooden pegs, that’s how old the house was.  Electrical power to the house was my means of three large wires running from the main road.  They came down the side of the house and connected to the electrical meter and down further and into the basement to the fuse box.  The wire from the meter to the fuse box was sheathed inside of large clothe insulation.

One lazy afternoon I got bored and got my hands on a pair of dad’s loppers.  I spied the large gray wire coming from the electric meter and into the basement and thought that would be a nice thing to test the cutting capability of those loppers.  I opened the loppers up as far as my little arms would reach and put the jaws around the wire.  For some unknown reason I gripped the wooden handles before I started closing the jaws around the wire.

When the jaws finally cut through the thick insulation of the wire, the sparks started flying.  Needless to say it ruined a nice set of loppers.  The next thing I know mom is standing next to me reading me the riot act and wait till your father gets home!.  I actually saw the fireworks twice that day, the instant the jaws cut into the bare wires, then again when my dad got home.                                                 

For my senior year of high school I moved in with my mom in Elmira, New York.  There was my sisters Annette and Judy and brother Joe and myself. 
Annette was in the 9^th grade and Joe and Judy hadn’t started school yet.

Electronics had been my hobby and I was always building some little gadget from whatever parts I could scrounge.

One Friday night I was bored, Joe and Judy were playing in the living room and Annette had gone out with her friends.

I had and old mercury switch, the type used in the old round faced thermostats and a xenon flashtube transformer.  From a D size battery the transformer
could generate about 1,500 2,000 volts and very low current, just enough to give a body a good jolt.

I took the mercury switch and wired it to the door bell.  Then I mounted the switch to the springs on Annette’s bed, it was a very old bed that had open
box springs.  Now every time she would lie down in her bed the door bell would Buzz.  Now if she only sat on the side of the bed nothing would happen.

She came home around 12:30am and I could hear her and her friends saying their goodbyes.  She wasted no time getting into bed and of course the door bell
started ringing.  I could hear her jump out of bed and run to the front door.  She did this a couple of times, then I could hear her set down on the edge of her
bed and waited several minutes before lying down in the bed and of course the bell would ring again.  She did this a couple of times till her temper got the
best of her and she flung the front door open cussing and swearing at whoever was play with the door bell.  Needless to say she ended up sleeping on the coach that night.

Now the xenon transformer and the battery.  I made a momentary contact switch at the hinge of the refrigerator and connect the transformer and battery behind
the fridge so nobody would see it.

I then wound some small bare wire around the handle of the fridge.  So if someone grabbed the fridge handle and opened the door it would send several thousand
volts of electricity through the wires of the handle and through some unsuspecting soul.

Needless to say Annette never even went into the kitchen that night.  However, I got up around 4am to get a drink of cold water.  I grabbed the fridge handle and
opened the door.  I must have jumped four feet into the air.  I grabbed the cold water pitcher and slammed the door shut.  I poured a glass of water and drank it. 
Put the glass down on the side of the sink, picked up the pitcher of cold water and grabbed the fridge door handle, well you can imagine the rest.
I immediately removed the batter from it’s holder.

Today we would have celebrated your 87th birthday. But today is the 8th year we are marking this day without you. Each year my wishes for you are the same. Love and happiness. 

One of my fondest memories is of spending time baking and cooking with you. You taught me so many things. One of my favourites to make and eat is still molasses drop cookies. They always go down a treat.

So to honour your memory and to celebrate your birthday, I chose to spend some time with my godson Ashley making you a birthday cake. I now understand and share the joy you must have had while doing the same thing with me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM !!!

We love you to the stars and back.

Memories of Grandad Jonas Fuller

What all would You like to know about Grandpa Jo? it was just JO, not JOE. JO is short for Jonas. He was bald at 16. He only had a birthday once every 4 years, born on a leap year. He like to joke and play jokes. He love to go on Holiday and FISH, loved catching his beloved Pan Fish......... Rock Bass, Blue Gills, Perch.... when cleaned, 2 of them fit in a pan just right. He had a wonderful train set in the cellar too, started out with 'O' gauge and then switched over to "HO" Gauge. He was a licensed Electrition and the money he made doing that, Grandma would let him have for his trains and his fishing. I'll work on remembering more. Grandma Jo was Pennsylvania Dutch, German Decent. Rulapough was her Maiden name.

Another neat thing about Grandpa JO. For breakfast, he liked Corn Flakes and Eggs. Poach the eggs, put them in a small bowl and chop them up a bit, but NOT TOO MUCH. Some thought it was a raw egg, it wasn't, it was poached egg, but looked raw. Now, add the Corn Flakes and fill the bowl with milk and add a bit of sugar as YOU like. He also loved Peanut Butter, by the Table Spoon Full.
I sent You how to make Grandpa Jo's poached eggs with Cornflakes. Go ahead and post that too. Some will say the eggs were raw, but they only looked raw, because of the way he poached them, whites would still be a wee bit runny.


By Jim

Mothers Family Continues to Grow

Tj and Co.. Mj sitting next to Tj. Izzy sitting on Mum. Brandon sitting on Dad and Charlie sitting next to Dad.. Dec 2010

Jim & Mother

Was great to find another little snippet in my email to add here.
This picture is from Jim and is of Mother & Jim in Erin New York. Must be from Mother's last visit to the states in the mid 1990's .....
I hope that Jim can & will add more....




Thank you Jim

Frangipani for Mother

Hi Family,
Most of you know ive moved onto a frangipani nursery so I thought I would share a couple of pics seeing as they are all coming into flower about now... hope you enjoy.

View from my bed
From the gate looking up shade house
Standing on a table in the court yard... you can just see DJ lurking in the shadows... you can see the sprinkler heads well beyond...





DJ,my landlord,has his frangipani website here... http://www.djsway.com/

Brandon Roy Webster

Hi all
I have the great pleasure of introducing you to
Brandon Roy Webster.
Born 23rd July 2009, at 10.59 am.
6.2 pounds, 10 fingers and 10 toes.
I'm now at home with Mum, Dad and my 2 big sisters Mj and Charlie.

Jude's Granddaughters

Hi All

Thought I would share with everyone new photo's I have gotten of my 2 beautiful granddaughters.

Mj on the left, is almost 3 and Charlie, on the right is almost 2. The newest addition to Tj's growing bunch is due to make an arrival anyday now..

Hope they make you smile..

Love to all
Jude

Mum's Birthday 2009

This year my very thoughtful husband decided I would spend Mum's Birthday visiting with her at Echo Point. It was a very special trip. First time I have been able to spend Mum's actual Birthday with her again.

On this trip we spotted what I think was a pair of Lyrebirds. There was also a pair of Yellow Tailed Cockatoos flying over head, but they didn't stop closely enough or for long enough to get a nice photo.

We spent about 1 1/2 hours with Mum and then some rain clouds started moving in. It was Mum telling us to make the start for home. She knows it's a long 4 hour drive.

I again visited this little shop in Katoomba, Heart of Stone, where I have picked up all the little friends within Betty's Garden. This time a precocious little fish called to me as I passed it by in a stone water feature the shop owner had set up. I'll put it in Betty's Garden for now, but when the new fish tank is up and running I might put it in there.

I enjoyed our visit Mum and miss you terribly.

Judy XOXOXO

Big Dave takes on the BIG WALK!!!

Hi all not sure if Judy has told anyone or not but still I will if she hasn't.

OK so as some of you might know I've been on a weight loss journey for the last 19months and well I have lost 104kgs/228.8lbs as of today and well this is where you come in.

As I've gotten smaller my fitness has gone up and well I have been challenged to do a 5kms/3miles fun WALK/run for breast cancer research this is a close to my heart as it is to us all.

So please sponsor me and the walk its all tax deductible for Australian residents for donations over $2 that is.

If you feel the need to sponsor me greast just follow the link.

sponsor me please

If you would like more info about me and where I've come from and going to please visit my site. BIG Daves journey

Betty's Garden late Summer 2009

Summer 2009 is almost over. The plants within Betty's Garden have loved the summer warmth and sun.

The Frangipani has more than doubled in stem and leaf growth. It produced more than 10 flowers - 2 are still in full bloom.

The Buzzy Lizzy's have thrived and are in constant bloom. They have grown from thin little seedling plants into healthy little shrubs.

All the while I have sat in the garden swing remembering the love and laughter I shared with Mum 'Betty' in summers pasted. In turn sharing love and laughter with my family and friends in Summer 2009.

You are always in my heart and in my thoughts.
Missing you more today than yesterday.

Betty's Garden has grown.

As predicted Betty's Garden has grown a little more again. There is now a lovely garden swing and the planting has spread to the other side of the swing to include an old metal wash tub filled with Lavender. I have a mix of the dried Lavender blooms and some of the dried rose blooms from Mum's bouquet's as potpourri in my bedroom.

Mum's Frangipani is flowering well with 2 more blooms opened. I have it next to the Port Wine Magnolia. In each pot now lives the little treasures I found at Echo Point while visiting with Mum.
On the other side of the garden is our windmill and overflowing barrel. A lovely cottage garden mix of blooms.

Missing you more each passing day Mum.
I hope Betty's Garden brings a smile to your beautiful face.

Betty's Garden at home ..

Today is the 2nd Anniversary of Mum's passing. I hope everyone will take a moment to sit, reflect and remember.

I often take a moment or 5 to sit and remember Mum. Her love of plants inspired me to make a memorial garden here at home.

I have a few plants that were special to Mum, Bizzy Lizzy's ( Impatients ), a Frangipani, a Crepe Myrtle. I also have a few that are special to me, a Daphnie Adora, a Red Japanese Maple, a Port Wine Magnolia.

Scattered among the plants are little treasures like a frog and a turtle. I buy a little treasure at Echo Point each trip up to visit with Mum. Bruce the Garden Gnome keeps an eye on everything within Betty's Garden, so feel free to relax, refresh and spend a moment or 5.

Mum, I miss you more with each passing day. I know you are watching me everytime I look at your garden here at home.

"Tell Me A Story"

This oil portrait titled "Tell Me A Story" was painted by Anne Kane, a personal friend of Mum's. It was painted in 1998 and entered into that years Archibald Prize. The Archibald Prize is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious art awards.
Needless to say it is now, most importantly, a precious family heirloom.
**Edit by Joe** A Huge Thanks to Judy and Dave for making the 1000 mile return journey to collect Mother's Portrait.As you can see in both photo's, it IS a life size portrait!

Mum's Blanket

Dave and I made a 2 day trip to visit with Mum. On an early morning drive to the 3 Sister's Lookout, Katoomba NSW, this is the sight that was before us.

What a wonderful blanket for Mother to draw upon herself as she rolls over in slumber. Mother's lookout is to the right of this picture.

I love you Mum and miss you dearly.. XOXOXO

Happy 4th Of July 2008

It is my humble honour this year to 'fly' the flag for our beloved Mother.

I have made a little memorial of things special to me and Mum.

The US Flag takes pride of place, always in my vision while I'm at my computer.

Nestled alongside the US Flag is a priceless photo of our Mother and her beautiful sister Sylvia. I also have a scented candle burning as I do most nights, my little offer of a ' Candle of Hope '.

I miss you terrible Mum and long to hold you again.

XOXOXOXOXO

Jonas Fuller Death Certificate

Below is an email I received from Jim.
Thanks Heaps Jim

Hi everyone,

The attachment is just wonderful, a little hard to read but it's great Fuller history.

2 weeks ago, I sat down and talked with Bill and Barb Tite from Michigan. They were in town to visit there son, Bill Jr., who runs one of the many Horse Farms in the area. Now, lets see if you can all follow this, Bill Sr.'s grandmother was Lydia Fuller. Mom's grandfather was Miles Fuller. Lydia and Miles were brother and sister. Their father was Josiah Fuller and his father was Jonas Fuller, the one that walked down from Vermont.
Everyone of you now have a copy of the death certificate of Jonas Fuller, you can read the signature of Josiah on it too, down near the bottom.
Now, more neat news. Jonas Luther Fuller. On Bill's mother's side of the family is a Luther Seeley (spelling) and it's looking like that is where Grandpa's middle name came from. They were all very close knit bunch too.