Dear Missouri Division and Hughes Camp Compatriots,
As Darrell Maples reported yesterday, Tim Apgar passed away yesterday
after his long battle with Leukemia. Let's all keep his family in our
thoughts and prayers, to include his wife Sue, Daughter Mindy, sister in
law and UDC member Trish Spencer, and brother
in law and Hughes Camp member Jerry Spencer.
Tim was a long time Commander of Hughes Camp. My time frame is rough,
but he served Hughes Camp in that capacity from about 2006 until around
2012-when he retired from Independence Power and Light and retired to the
lake area, living in Versailles, Missouri.
His wife Sue was a born and bred Versailles person I believe, and her
mother, Rita Hammand, lived there until this last May when she passed away.
Rita was a long time UDC member. Tim and Sue were able to be close to Rita
to cae for her in her later years.
Tim was a staunch defender of our Confederate history. Tim was a new
member to the SCV in 2005 or 2006, when Hughes Camp was in need of a new
Commander. New member or not, Tim was willing to jump in and volunteer to
run for that position. As a Commander,
he was a consummate professional and his managerial skills from
Independence Power and Light helped him in running a well organized Hughes
Camp ship. Our membership blossomed under his Command, growing 20 members
or so to well over 60.
Tim attended nearly all functions such as the Reunions, Lee Jackson and
Secession Day Dinners. He was also a great financial supporter of our Camp
and Heritage Defense Fund efforts. Tim went the extra mile for our
organizations.
Tim spearheaded a grave marking project at Woodlawn Cemetery in
Independence, where the camp marked over 20 Confederate Graves. His
research of who needed markers was extensive. He worked well with the
cemetery sextant there. Woodlawn is owned by the city
of Independence, and Tim's strong Independence ties to the city aided
greatly in us obtaining that level of cooperation.
After Commander retirement, Tim served as a Western Brigade Commander I
believe.
Tim's funeral will be in Versailles, Missouri. The arrangements are
not final yet but will be handled by Kidwell -Garber funeral home in
Versailles. Tim will be buried in the cemetery that is on W Hwy as you head
south out of Versailles. It's maybe 3/4's
of a mile south of the square. Tim always joked to me that his cemetery
plot there was their future lake home!
http://www.kidwellgarber.com/contact-kglocations/facilities-and-directions
We will know tomorrow what days etc the funeral will be. I'm thinking
somewhere between Tuesday to Thursday this week. Jerry Spencer told me
yesterday that since Tim was not a suit and tie guy, Sue is thinking about
burying Tim in his Confederate Frock Coat
and embroidered shirt she had made him, along with his slouch hat. They do
plan on having Confederate Flags present. I asked Jerry, if he thought Tim
might like a Confederate Honor Guard volley salute. Jerry is going to ask
Sue and Mindy about that.
I have often wondered if an honor guard salute would be appropriate for
us SCV guys at our funerals. On one hand, we are not Confederate Soldiers,
but on the other hand, we have done a good job of honoring our Confederate
soldiers, and if it has been our
life and passion to defend our heritage, I believe our Confederate
Ancestors would be proud to have us do that for our members, as that still
keeps their traditions and memory alive.
So, while I don't know if it is wanted yet for sure, I'm looking for 4
plus volunteers that have uniforms and can handle a musket firing, to
volunteer for this duty, as honor guard. If you can do that somewhere along
the line of midweek, please respond to
me, then I'll keep you posted from there.
God Bless Tim and his family.
Sincerely yours,
Larry Yeatman, Adjutant, Hughes Camp 614
larryyeatman@msn.com
