DONALD S. APPLE, LTJG, USN
Donald Apple '48
Lucky Bag
From the 1948 Lucky Bag:
Donald Stanley Apple
Indianapolis, Indiana
12.15, Saturday. Notify Apple, D. S., "I am waiting in Reception Room . . . Chris"; "Meet me in Smoke Hall at 1130 . . . Kitty"; "Waiting for you at the house . . . Anne." How Don keeps his harem happy and apart every week end is more than most of us have been able to understand. Of course on the Varsity Crew where he shines, he gets a chance to build himself up for the week ends. But dragging doesn't occupy all of Don's thoughts. Whenever he pounds the books or hounds the mailman, he comes out way ahead. If you want some good addresses, practical philosophy, or a good man to have around the house, call on Don.
Donald was on the crew team. He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
Donald Stanley Apple
Indianapolis, Indiana
12.15, Saturday. Notify Apple, D. S., "I am waiting in Reception Room . . . Chris"; "Meet me in Smoke Hall at 1130 . . . Kitty"; "Waiting for you at the house . . . Anne." How Don keeps his harem happy and apart every week end is more than most of us have been able to understand. Of course on the Varsity Crew where he shines, he gets a chance to build himself up for the week ends. But dragging doesn't occupy all of Don's thoughts. Whenever he pounds the books or hounds the mailman, he comes out way ahead. If you want some good addresses, practical philosophy, or a good man to have around the house, call on Don.
Donald was on the crew team. He graduated with the class of 1948-A, the last of the wartime-accelerated classes, in June 1947. (The bottom half of the class by academic standing, designated 1948-B, completed an extra year and graduated in June 1948.)
Loss
Don was lost "in a jet fighter plane crash near El Centro, Cal." on April 11, 1951. He was a member of Fighter Squadron 23 (VF-23) and was killed when his F9F‑2 collided with another.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Donald attended Natrona County High School in Casper, Wyoming, and Bedford High School in Indiana. He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1944. Captain, R.O.T.C. Honor Society. All-School Play, Senior Play (male lead,) Math Club, Boy Scout, K.A.Y.-D.E.T. Club. Majors, mathematics and science. Navy.
In 1940, Donald lived in Casper, Wyoming where his father Ernest was an engineer for a public works company. His mother was Lyla, and his older brother was Robert (USNA '43).
A newspaper published an article about his wedding to Nancy (obituary below).
From USNA Alumni Association:
Obituary: Mrs. Nancy (Donald S. Apple '48)
Nancy Lee Jefferson, Resident of Danville
Nancy was a classic beauty, known for her graciousness, elegance and style.
Born on July 31, 1929, at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA, Nancy fondly remembered her early years at her Grandfather Hester's family farm in Santa Cruz. She passed away peacefully on October 21, 2014, surrounded by family.
As a young career woman living on Russian Hill in San Francisco, she met and married Ens. Donald S. Apple, USN (USNA '48) and they moved to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. Don perished in a flight accident and baby Donald was born seven months later.
In 1953 Nancy married Harry Newhart. Their son Talbert was born "on a dark and stormy night", a story she enjoyed telling. She raised her two sons by herself for a few years while being "The Suit Model" at I. Magnin in San Francisco.
1960 brought Carl Jefferson and baby daughter Stacey into her life. They married and raised their family of five as "Jeff" started and grew Jefferson Motors in Concord, CA. It was always Nancy's goal to blend Jeff's children from a previous marriage, Michael, Richard and Ann, into the clan – a goal she ultimately achieved.
Nancy shared Jeff's love of Jazz and by 1980 Concord Jazz, the record company he founded, became their full time passion. Nancy was an occasional producer and was well known for her after-performance parties at their Clayton, CA, home which were enjoyed by such notables as Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, Scott Hamilton, Rosemary Clooney and Arthur Fielder among many others. It was a highlight of her life to spend 35 years with Jeff, who preceded her death in 1995.
Nancy knew the fragility of life and was determined to live it to its fullest. For the past 20 years she oversaw the growth of the family from her Danville, CA, home. Nancy enjoyed being the glue of the four generations of the Jefferson clan, hosting family reunions at adventurous places all over the world. She was blessed to have 25 members of her family join her at Alisal near Santa Barbara this past summer where everyone would gather for "Happy Hour", her favorite time of the day.
Nancy and Jeff were founding members of Diablo Scholarships and she always enjoyed volunteering at the Terrace Tea Room in Walnut Creek for the benefit of Mt. Diablo Therapy. She was a voracious reader, always had a crossword puzzle nearby and enjoyed fishing, painting, entertaining, spending weekends in Monterey and bridge, where she developed some of her closest friendships.
Nancy is remembered for her unconditional love and her determination to support her family and friends. She is survived by Sherry Kinchen and Theodore Gray, her sister and brother; by her children, Donald S. Jefferson (Beverly), Talbert Newhart (Berrel), Stacey Shewry (Jamie Wolfe), C. Michael Jefferson, Richard A. Jefferson (Osmat), Ann E. Jefferson; and by her beautiful grandchildren, Brad Jefferson, Alexandra Mickel, Ryan Shewry, Scott Shewry, Skyler Newhart and Tanja Jefferson. Known as "Gigi" to her great-grandchildren, they include Avery, Dean, Lyla and Gentry.
Thank you to the friends and caregivers who supported Nancy during these past months, showing compassion, dedication and patience during this difficult time. We will all miss her. Private family services will be held at Crow Canyon Country Club. For further information, contact:
Published in Contra Costa Times on Oct. 26, 2014
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From the drama club section of his high school yearbook
Related Articles
William Keen '48, Richard Ryder '48, Stanwix Williams '48, and Jack Robbins '48 were also in 14th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
