Charles O'Neal Aplin

Charles "Fuzzy" O'Neal Aplin, age 71, left this earth on Saturday, April 4, 2015 to join his son, Kevin O'Neal Aplin; parents, Sam O'Neal and Rebecca Lee Aplin; grandmother, Ada Israel; and aunt, Katherine Martin. He leaves behind wife, Julie Fish Aplin and daughter, Michelle Aplin Faith; former wife and friend, Joy Hardwick Aplin both of Ft. Walton Beach, FL and dozens of cousins and dear friends. He was born in Birmingham, AL and raised in Barbour County. He graduated from Eufaula High School, and helped his parents with their family business, Aplin's Radio and TV in downtown Eufaula, Alabama. Mr. Aplin attended Wallace Community College and was the 2nd person to graduate from there. He received his BS degree from Troy State University and later his Doctorate in Education from Florida State University. Charlie moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and began a teaching career that spanned 46 years. He taught higher math at Fort Walton Beach High School for 15 years and was department chair for 8 of those years. He was later hired by the Okaloosa County School Board as the Supervisor of Math, Social Studies and English as a Second Language. After retiring from public education, he was an adjunct professor at University of West Florida and Troy State University extension. After he and Julie moved back to Eufaula, Dr. Aplin was hired to teach at Wallace Community College where he was still employed. During his successful career as an educator, Charlie touched the lives of multitudes of students, many of whom became math teachers themselves. Of all his accomplishments during this life, this is the one of which he is most humbly grateful. He headed many state wide programs which supported better math education, including being elected as the President of the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics (FCTM). He was also selected, by his constituents, as the Top Math Teacher for the State of Florida. Charlie's other passions were Troy State, Florida State, Bama football, traveling to Colorado with Julie, spending as much time with Michelle as possible and hot rod cars. Charlie was an avid Mustang enthusiast. He loved his antique cars and spent countless hours working to restore them to their former glory. He was the president of the Alaga Car Club in Eufaula, AL. None of us knows the day nor the hour that our heavenly father will tap us gently on the shoulder and say, "It's time to come home now, my child," but what a blessing it was to Charlie that he left this earth driving his hot little Ford Mustang, top down, with the warm southern spring wind blowing on his face.. lifting him straight into heaven. Charlie (Fuzzy) Aplin, you truly left this ole world a better place because you walked amongst us with your gentle sweet soul. Your presence will leave a hole in our hearts that only prayer and time will heal. The family would like to thank all of you for your prayers, hugs, food and condolences. You made all this bearable and we will never forget your kindness to us. Funeral arrangements: A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 11 A.M. at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation for Dr. Aplin will be held one hour prior to the service, starting at 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in care of Peggy Wood, treasury, 204 Marina Dr., Eufaula, AL 36027 Sign the online guest book for Mr. Aplin at www.eufaulatribune.com.