Dr. GEORGE APFFEL

Dr. George

Warren Apffel

Dr. George Warren Apffel, 89, of Forest, passed to the life eternal on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Lynchburg General Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born Jan. 31, 1921, in Jersey City, N.J., he was the son of the late George Washington Apffel and the late Pearl Hanna Apffel. He was also predeceased by an infant brother, George Washington Apffel Jr., and a sister, Hazel Apffel Lindberg.

A graduate of Columbia University, he enjoyed a 50-year career in optometry, and many former patients will remember him from Ehrich's in downtown Lynchburg. He was also an avid golfer, gardener and private pilot, an active contributor of his time and talents to the local community through his membership in the Brookville-Timberlake Lions Club, and a longtime supporter of Brookville High School athletics (booster, spotter for football, golf team). He sat on the board of the Campbell County Utilities & Service Authority for many years. Williamsburg and Walt Disney World were a couple of his favorite destinations. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Shelby Goad Apffel. Also surviving are his extended family, Kathryn Anne Myers Carson and husband, Tom, of Lynchburg; James Blake Myers and wife, Connie, of Burke, Jeffrey Ford Myers, of Altavista, Scott Dalton Myers, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Wallace and Vicki Raines, of Huddleston, as well as several nieces and nephews.

For many years, he was an active member of

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where he sang in the choir and was the unofficial tea maker for the coffee hour following morning services.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a memorial please consider The Wildlife Center of Virginia, P.O. Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980; the Salvation Army of Lynchburg, 2215 Park Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24501-2730; or the Centra Foundation, 1920 Atherholt Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

A celebration of George's life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, with the Rev. William R. Bumgarner, deacon at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, officiating. American Legion Post 16 will provide military honors. The family will receive friends following the service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, (434) 237-9424, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneral

home.com.