The son of A.P. Apple and Lottie Johnson Apple, Arthur Apple was born in South Boston, Va.
Apple moved to Anderson, S.C., in 1959, where he excelled in football and track at Anderson Boys’ High — which would later merge with the girls’ school, T.L. Hanna. His JV football coach was Harold Jones, who would later be played by Ed Harris in the movie “Radio.”
Apple and three teammates set a state record for relay race that would stand for years. He was recruited to play football at nearby Clemson University. He was also president of the school’s student council and Beta Club.
Instead of playing football, he put himself through Clemson, graduating in 1966 with a degree in textiles management. He then worked in a variety of mills throughout S.C., in Anderson, Laurens, Saluda, McCormick, Abbeville, Rock Hill and Spartanburg.
Apple moved to Augusta in 1979, spending several years in upper management at King Mill. He would later sell real estate and work as a home inspector. For several years, he enjoyed working during Masters week as a nightime security guard.
In 1990, he married Nora Whitcraft of Augusta and began several years of service to Mosaic Church of Evans. Most notably, Apple capitalized on his natural white hair and beard to make dozens of appearances around the Augusta area for various charities and organizations each year as Santa while Nora played Mrs. Claus.
Apple is survived by Nora Apple of Thomson, three children: Charles of Lilburn, Caroline of Parksville, S.C., and Artie of Thomson; two siblings: Betty Shore and Cecil Apple, both of Anderson, 11 grandchildren, four nephews and one niece.
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