Dr. Underwood was born on October 13,1935 in Calloway County to the late Ernest Allen and Eupha Johnson Underwood. He was a citizen of the world who traversed the globe picking up friends and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ along the way. His first real job was operating a combine on the farm with his brothers-in-law, Bill Collins and Sonny Lockhart. He was a graduate of Murray Training School (1954), Murray State University (1957 Bachelor of Arts and 1960 Masters of Math Education) and University of Akron (1976 Doctorate of Education).
His career in education started in Akron, Ohio, the rubber capital of the world. His last assignment was the Amazon Valley Academy in Belem, Brazil. In between, he worked at University of Rio Grande (Rio Grande, Ohio), Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, Tennessee), the University of Rio Grande Japan (Tokyo, Japan), and Columbus Public Schools (Columbus, Ohio). He was the youngest president of the Akron Education Association, and was the President and Executive Secretary of the Ohio Education Association, where he successfully negotiated many victories for the teachers of Ohio.
He was a member of Sinking Springs Baptist Church for most of his life. He was also a member of the Southwest Baptist Chapel in Columbus, Ohio; a member of the Akron Baptist Temple in Akron, Ohio, which was founded by several of his aunts and uncles; and a member of Tokyo Baptist Church in Tokyo, Japan. He was a student of biblical prophecy and the author of “The United States and the United Kingdom in Biblical Prophecy: The Coming War” and “An English*Scots-Irish*Chickasaw Underwood Family: The Ancestors and Descendants of Freeling Huysen Underwood”.
He was a lover of funny jokes, puttering around the yard, and teaching people things. He remodeled several houses with his signature flair for an unfortunate accident. After a floor laying incident, he taught his math class to count to 9 1/2 on what was left of his fingers.
There was nothing in life he liked better than being with his sisters, sitting in their kitchens with hot brown sugar cookies, strawberries and ice cream, and extended family and stories. He loved his God, his family, his friends, and his Murray State Racers basketball.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters and best friends, Juanita Collins and Betty Jane Lockhart as well as niece, Renata Bogard.
He is survived by three daughters he loved, Elizabeth Hosler (Michael) of Orient, Ohio, Mary Ashley of Beavercreek, Ohio and Catherine Arick (David) of Germantown, Tennessee. He was the grandfather of six and great-grandfather of one. Grandchildren are Emilie Hosler, Noah Ashley (Sofie), Mary Catherine Hosler, Reese Ashley, Eve Arick and Heath Arick and great-grandson Malikhi Budgett; various nieces and nephews including Lalita Lee Rhodes, Regina Nell Manis (Tommy), Gene Dale Lockhart (Leslie), Lenora LeeAnn Lockhart, Billy Charles Collins and various great nieces and nephews all of whom he loved and adored (you know who you are), as well as, step granddaughter, Dawn Sarjeant and step great grandson, Cristofer Jordan “CJ” Armentrout (Rose).
The funeral service honoring the life of Mr. Underwood is set for 12 PM on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Sinking Spring Baptist Church. His three daughters and Sammy Cunningham will officiate. Burial will follow at Sinking Spring Cemetery. Pallbearers include Michael Hosler, David Arick, Noah Ashely, Heath Arick, Billy Collins, Gene Dale Lockhart.
His family welcomes visitors from 10 AM – 12 PM on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Sinking Spring Baptist Church.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Dr. E. Wade Underwood by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Imes Funeral Home is entrusted with caring for his family.