Col. Paul Livingston Applin Jr., U.S. Army-retired, of Gloucester, died peacefully at home Friday, May 3, 2013. He was 85.

He was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, and was the son of the late Paul L. Applin and Esther Richards Applin.

Col. Applin’s service career spanned over three wars, including the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Nicaraguan Conflict. In his retirement, he enjoyed a career of oyster farming and was known as the grandfather of oyster farming for this area and he also contributed to the invention of the “Taylor Float.”

Col. Applin was a computer data manager and network consultant and worked with several businesses on Gloucester’s Main Street, including Sanders and Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal.

He was a member of Ware Episcopal Church and a volunteer of the Rosewell Foundation, as chair of the grounds committee.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Regina Lee Gerstman; children, Judy W. Applin of Little Rock, Ark., David L. Applin and wife Anne of Fairfax Station, Va., and Patricia I. Kellogg and husband Michael of Gloucester; grandchildren, Flip Grey, Gloria Beth Pagan, Hannah T. Kellogg, Rebecca A. Applin, Ryan L. Applin and Mark D. Applin; great-grandchildren, Ciara I. Grey, Josalynne S. Pagan, Ahomeah N. Perry and Leonardo M. Pagan, and sister, Louise Applin Lawless of Dallas, Texas.

A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. Ted McConnell, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Ware Episcopal Church. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Inurnment with full military honors will be held later at Arlington National Cemetery.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Ware Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 616, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 7439 John Clayton Memorial Highway, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or VMI Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester Point.