Charleigh D Appling III (1963-2004)  *41

My father passed away peacefully on Christmas Day in 2004. Charleigh Appling passed away at home in his living room alone after suffering a life-long battle with Alcoholism. Although my father died at a young age; He spent much of his life in constant turmoil and internal pain. He never went by his given legal name, but rather liked to go by "Lee". My dad was well known in the fishing industry throughout South Florida, and made a name for himself at a very young age. He taught me how to fish when I was 10, and he always maintained that fishing is the single most important skill you can learn. He believed that fishing was a source of food, money, therapy, stress relief, as well as many other uses. My Dad left behind myself (his only daughter) and a son (C. D Appling IV "Cody", a Sister, and his Mother and Father. My Dad didn't leave a long legacy behind. He carried old Southern Values and was a very "cut and dry" thinker. He was very set in his ways, which attributed to his early passing. Unfortunately, He was unable to obtain the help he needed to battle his addiction to Alcohol. He quickly began showing signs of the damage he had done to his body. He was involved in a Motor-Cycle accident about a year prior to his death that left him in severe pain most of the time due to the nerve damage in his hand and down half of his body from sliding on the road. He was experiencing legal struggles as a result, and continued to battle with his drinking in the process. He was then diagnosed with Diabetes and Fibromyalgia, which he struggled to gain control of. About 6 months before he passed, My Dad noticed a lesion in his mouth. He had been ignoring it for some time now; but it was to the point where it needed medical attention. In October 2004, Just days after his 41st, Birthday; He was diagnosed with Cancer of the mouth and throat. This hit him quite hard. My Dad began making needed changes and amends in an attempt to turn his life around, but at this point it was too late. My father spoke with me a lot prior to his passing. He struggled to hold on until he knew that both of his children knew how much he loved them. My father tried so hard to wait until I finished college. I spoke to my Dad on December 24th, 2004. He wanted me to know how very much he loved me and my Son "Benjamin". He wanted to remind me that no matter what, I would always be his "baby-girl", and not to give up on my dreams. I called my father on December 25th, 2004 and My father's sister answered the phone and informed me that he hayed down while everyone was gone, quietly took his medications, and went to sleep, forever. There isn't a day that does by that I don’t think about my Dad. I hurt everyday because he is gone. But, I also know how good it is to know that my Dad is not in pain any longer. My Dad was cremated and his remains were turned over to me. He ashes were spread in two of his favorite places: The Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Bradenton Beach, Florida and in the mountains where the Salt River runs through in Northern Arizona.