Born in Ozark, Missouri,  on July 7, 1911, a son of Felix Justin Young Appleby, Jr. and Frances Myrtle List-Appleby.  Raised in Blythe, California, where there is an elementary school named in his father's honor.

Max Appleby enlisted on the December 3, 1942 into the Army Air Corps at Santa Ana Air Base, Santa Ana, California. 

Max died in Contra Costa, California on April 2, 1961 in Contra Costa, California.  He was survived by his wife, Ruth, and a son Michael Appleby, now deceased.