Arthur Hunt Applegate

Arthur Hunt Applegate, 69, of Charleston, S.C., died peacefully Sunday, April 2nd, at his home on James Island after a lengthy battle with cancer.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street, 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Carolina Yacht Club at 50 East Bay Street, Charleston.  Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

A native Charlestonian, Arthur was born on October 18, 1953, the son of Major Edward Cuyler Applegate and Dorothy Hunt Applegate.

Arthur attended the Porter-Gaud School.  He was a student at the University of Minnesota at Duluth, The College of Charleston before completing his Bachelor of Arts at the University of South Carolina.

Arthur began his business career as an investment advisor at Underwood-Neuhaus & Co. in Houston, TX and later joined Julian J. Studley, Inc. as a commercial real estate broker.  In 1983, Arthur founded Applegate & Co. in Houston, before relocating to Charleston in 1992.  Arthur was an astute businessman and enjoyed much success investing in and developing commercial real estate.

Uncle A, as he was affectionately known to many, possessed a natural joie de vivre.  Arthur derived an immense amount of joy from the 14 years he and Cyndy shared together, particularly their shared adventures travelling the world.  Arthur was always down for an adventure, relishing in new discoveries.  Uncle A had a mischievous personality with an infectious laugh, which he frequently used to punctuate tales from his adventuresome past.  Arthur was at his best holding court on the topic at hand, never one to allow the facts to get in the way of a good story.  Arthur brought intensity and competitiveness to all aspects of his life, whether he was negotiating the terms of a business deal, playing a round of golf with friends, or discussing the merits of French or Spanish wine.  He was a voracious reader, especially fond of historical fiction. Arthur was a member of the Country Club of Charleston, the Carolina Yacht Club, the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, and Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

Arthur has a deep and abiding Faith and knew that his Hope was secure in The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Cyndy Thompson Applegate; two children, Emily Applegate Johnson (Michael) of Denver, CO and Arthur Hunt Applegate, Jr. (Ibis) of Mérida, Mexico; one granddaughter, Ibis Elizabeth Applegate Ponce; two stepsons, Michael Burris (Brooke) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Austin Burris of Charleston, SC; two grandsons, Holsten and Creighton Burris; his sister, Susan Applegate Herrmann (Jack) of Charleston, SC; his brother, W.E. “Sam” Applegate, III (True) of Sullivan’s Island, SC; his father- and mother-in-law, Ken and Dotty Thompson of Charleston, SC; his brother-in-law, Todd Thompson (Leigh) of St. Simons, GA; his sisters-in-law, Lynne Thompson Willets (Jeff) of Swampscott, MA and Terri Thompson Gouldman (John) of Dunwoody, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews for whom he will forever be their favorite uncle. 

The family owes a deep debt of gratitude to the many nurses, physicians, health care providers and care givers who were dedicated to Arthur’s comfort and well-being, especially Geraldine Jamison, Stenay Davis, Lekisha Jordan, Lillie Anderson, Carmen Steplight, and Luc Moses.

Memorials may be made to St. Philip’s Church and Water Missions International.