John Edward Underwood's Obituary
John Edward Underwood, 68, passed away at his home in New London, Texas, on the morning of January 8, 2015. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 29, 1946. He grew up in Panola County and graduated from Carthage High School in 1965. He received his Bachelors of Science Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Mr. Underwood married Janis Williams on August 9, 1968. He taught Welding Technology at Kilgore College for nearly 30 years. He mentored hundreds of young men and women that were involved in the welding program, and he served them as a job coordinator, counselor, and friend. One of his many lasting contributions to the local communities of East Texas was designing and fabricating the stars that light the derricks in downtown Kilgore every holiday season.
Mr. Underwood was the President of the West Rusk Little League Baseball Association during the 1980’s. He was an active member of the New London United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NLUMC. Mr. Underwood was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, deer hunt, and dove hunt.
Mr. Underwood is survived by his wife of 46 ½ years, Janis Underwood of New London, daughter Johna Tritt and husband Paul of Kilgore, son Dr. Joel Underwood and wife Meghan of Tyler, and granddaughters Meredith Kay Huse of College Station, Morgan Raley Underwood and Evelyn Mae Underwood of Tyler.
Also, sister-in-law Patsy Summers and husband Lewis of New London;
Brother-in-law Jim Bob Williams and wife Janice of Longview; aunts Wanda Wallace and husband Arnold of Longview, Louise Windham of Carthage, and Evelyn Click of Maine; nephew Kelly Williams and family of New London and niece Laura Powell and family of Killeen.
His grandson Jackson Edward Huse preceded him in death in 2008.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 2:00pm at New London United Methodist Church in New London. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jackson Huse Scholarship Foundation in care of the East Texas Communities Foundation, 315 North Broadway, Suite 210, Tyler, Texas 75702.
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