Howard Lee Underwood, 84, CWO-4 USMC, Korean and Vietnam War Veteran, adventurer, loving husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at home in Derby, Kansas. Visitation will be Thursday, December 1, at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road from 1-8 pm. The family will be available from 5-7 pm. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, December 2 at 10 am at the same location. His burial will be at the Winfield Kansas Veterans Cemetery with full military honors at 2 pm the same day.

He was born on November 18, 1932 in Cheyenne, Oklahoma and grew up in Dodge City, Kansas during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl days. When he was 16, he skipped school with a friend and attempted to travel to South America. He got as far as Mexico City, Mexico before running out of money and returned home. He graduated from Dodge City High School in 1950 at 17 and immediately left for Fairbanks, Alaska to work in a gold placer mine in Livengood. He learned about starving while there and appreciated everything he ate for the rest of his life! He stayed until November when it closed for winter, then returned to Dodge City and joined the National Guard that year, serving until he joined the United States Marines in July, 1952 and served for a total of 29 1/2 years.

He married his sweetheart, Laura Jane Hill, on November 16, 1952 in Tucumcari, NM. They moved many times during their 64 years together, living in Florida, California, Colorado, North Carolina, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

While in the Marines, he served two 13-month tours and two 15- month tours in Japan and Viet Nam. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer-4. He was the third longest serving CWO-4 in the United States when he retired.

After retiring from the USMC in Jacksonville, NC, they moved to Derby, Kansas and he began his career at Boeing Military Aircraft Company. His travels in his job for Boeing took him to Seattle, Philadelphia, Hawaii and Japan. He continued his education throughout his career, earning his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University and his MBA from Wichita State University. He retired from Boeing in July 1993.

He was a faithful Christian and served as an Elder in the Jacksonville Church of Christ in North Carolina and a deacon in Exton, PA. He was an active member of the Derby Lions Club for many years and served as President. He attended several international conventions. He also spent many years working with his son-in-law, Stan Hancock and grandson, Dustin Hancock in Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 690.

He was a master woodworker and made many items of furniture and gifts for family and friends. He loved playing pool, card games and dominoes. Always ready for new adventures, he began skiing at the age of 50 and went on many ski trips with his daughter, Kimberly and her family. He loved playing golf with family and friends and even made a hole-in-one with a witness! He also played tennis and racquetball well and was an avid fisherman. His son Kirt has wonderful memories of gigging flounder with him in North Carolina.

He enjoyed traveling in his motor home with Jane, visiting family all over the country. They also visited his son, Kevin, and his family several times in Germany. He always wanted to see Alaska again and in 2008, after 58 years, was able to go back to Fairbanks and Livengood with his grandson, Dustin and his wife, Vanessa. He loved sharing that with them. ! In October 2014, he went on the Kansas Honor Flight with his daughter Kimberly to Washington, DC. That was a highlight of his life! He couldn't say enough about that trip.

He enjoyed life to the fullest and brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. He loved to laugh and maintained his sense of humor and playful zest for life until the end. He and Kimberly wrote a book about his life titled “Around the World in 80 Years”. His personality shines throughout as he tells of his many humorous adventures (and misadventures) in life.

His last place of residence was at Copperstone Independent Living apartments in Derby, KS. He loved everyone there and they loved him.

He is preceded in death by his oldest son, Kevin Lee Underwood, Sr. of Broad Creek, NC; brother, Arlus Underwood of Austin, TX; sister, Phynon Kelley of Liberal, KS; his parents, Paul W. and Maggie Brock Underwood of and a brother-in-law, Jerry Loveland of Taylor, Texas.

He is survived by Jane, his wife of 64 years; his daughter, Kimberly (Stan) Hancock of Derby, Kansas; his son, Kirt (Kathy) Underwood of Newport, NC and daughter-in-law Elaine Underwood of Broad Creek, NC; his 7 grandchildren--Dustin (Vanessa) Hancock of Bartlesville, OK; Danae (Dale) Mizner of York, NE; and Tabitha (James) Nixon, Kevin (Jennifer) Underwood, Jr., Kristin (Christopher) Furr, Tony (Gloria) Russell and Christine (Russell) Pile of Newport, NC; 14 great-grandchildren; his sister, Leona Loveland of Taylor, Texas; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice or Kansas Honor Flights.
Thursday, December 01, 2016
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Friday, December 02, 2016
10:00 AM
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Friday, December 02, 2016
2:00 PM
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