Obituary | Ken Apple | Berryhill Funeral Home & Crematory

Ken Apple, of Huntsville, Alabama formerly of Nashville, Tn passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 9, 2020 surrounded by the family he loved and who love him still.

Ken was born Carl Kenneth Apple on July 10, 1929 to Thomas Benton Apple and Hallie Carter Apple.

Ken Apple had a long and distinguished career in Southern Gospel Music.  He was the composer of many gospel songs (No Longer a Stranger; When We Ask Why; Time Cannot Heal Only God Can; There’s Still Power in the Blood of the Lamb; A People Redeemed; Scars Are a Sign of Healing are just a few). These and other songs were recorded by numerous gospel music artists.  While he enjoyed all gospel music, Ken often said the biggest influence on his life was The Speer Family, a group he first met in Detroit, Michigan in 1946.  Ken had over 100 of his songs published by Ben Speer Music.

Ken Apple began studying piano under the legendary James D. Walbert and later from Rosa Nell Speer Powell, daughter of G.T. and Lena (Dad & Mom) Speer.  He served as pianist, for a short time, with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet and, in the early 1950’s for the Trumpeteers Quartet of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ken organized a group called The Singing Star Trio, in 1952 and that group soon evolved into The Ken Apple Trio.  In 1966 the trio was joined by the children of Ken and Ernestine, Gary, Karen, Kevin and Kim and became known as The Ken Apple Family.

Ken and Ernestine traveled for 64 years singing gospel music.  This ministry led them to many churches performing in revivals and concerts across the country.  Singing in small churches or large auditoriums, their purpose was always the same – to be used by God as vessels to spread the gospel through music.

Ken Apple had many wonderful attributes – songwriter, pianist, singer, husband, daddy, Papa and friend.  And while all of those are exceptional characteristics to remember, Ken would want you to know first that he was a Christian and he was a prayer warrior.  If Ken Apple told you he would pray for you, he didn’t mean in the future…someday, he would pray for your need. He meant right then and there he would call out to the Father and fervently ask Jesus to intercede on your behalf.   Ken was a humble man who, in his younger years, met a great Savior and his life, and the lives of those he encountered, would never the same.

Ken is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ernestine, his children Gary (Stacey) Apple; Karen (Doug) Young; Kevin Apple and Kimberly Apple.  Grandchildren Lori (Hector) Maldonado, Ross Mistretta and Blake Mistretta also survive.  In addition, he leaves behind many friends of gospel music and a host of songs that will live on in the hearts of many for years to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Gary Stephen Apple, Jr.

While Ken’s family mourns his passing, they rejoice in knowing that when he closed his eyes on this earth, he opened them in Heaven to forever be with the Lord. 

Services, honoring the life of Ken Apple, will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the College Park Church of God, 3801 Holmes Avenue, Huntsville, Al 35816, officiated by Pastor Tim Lanier, Pastors Rusty and Leisa Nelson, and Pastor Johnny Minick.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the service time.