Barry Edward Appel

Barry E. Appel, 90, died at home on September 8 surrounded by his loving family. A third-generation Denver native, Mr. Appel graduated from East High School and attended the University of Colorado. He was a devoted husband, father and grandparent, and a devout member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Appel was an avid sports fan, particularly college football, and an accomplished golfer who shot three holes in one. He also played on a nationally competitive volleyball team and coached for many years in the Denver Young American Football League, which is now part of Denver PAL. Mr. Appel was passionate about his life-long hobby of listening to music, particularly opera. He spent his entire career as a business manager at the oil refinery owned by a series of companies in Commerce City, retiring from Asamera in 1982. Mr. Appel was married to Joan Burkhead for 57 years. She predeceased him in 2002. Survivors include four children: Timothy M. Appel of Denver; Joan A. (James) Walther of Centennial; Priscilla A. (James) Hedgecock of Boulder, MT; and Patricia A. (Thomas) Barry of Newark, DE; five grandchildren: Jordan Walther, a senior at the University of Northern Colorado; James Barry Hedgecock, a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, Africa; Dru (Peter) Hancock who was married in August; Kathleen Barry, who recently graduated from the Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, CA; and Tyler (Jesse) Barry of Newark, DE, the father of Mr. Appel's two great-grandchildren Makenna and Delaney. Mr. Appel is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Horner of Denver and her son Dennis (Margorie) Horner of Littleton. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 12, 1:00 pm with Funeral Mass to begin at 2:15 pm, both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. Entombment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be directed to Denver PAL, 27 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80219, Attn: Anna Corbett.