Trending
Junior Ford Underwood of East Liverpool, Ohio passed away at his home the evening of April 13, 2022 encircled by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2020 and in his typical fashion, fought valiantly over the past two years without a complaint about it.
Junior was born on April 29, 1938 in Center Point, Dodderidge County, West Virginia- fondly known to his family as "Hoopie". He was the son of the late Alma Swiger Underwood and was raised by her and his 6 older siblings. He enjoyed sharing stories about all the mischief he got into as a country boy who loved hunting groundhogs and catching snakes.
Junior served in the Air Force and raised all of his children to understand the value of service to their country with all of his children also serving, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren who are current members of our armed forces.
He was a proud steel worker and member of the USW. He worked at the former Crucible Steel Mill in Midland, PA, retiring from Allegheny Ludlum Steel. In retirement he continued to enjoy breakfast meetings with his former coworkers, swapping stories and checking in on one another.
Junior was a champion of raising hard workers, naps in his recliner and hot sauce in his grits. He enjoyed keeping his mind and body active with many projects around his home, reading and doing his puzzles. He had mastered the art of a well-timed joke and kept that going even in his final days. Junior was a great conversationalist and made others feel comfortable and at ease in his presence. There wasn't a thing he couldn't fix or car noise he couldn't identify. He was happy to pass down his knowledge and skills to his family. With age, he became an excellent supervisor of his former pupils. He enjoyed tending to his garden and salvaging the few blueberries the birds didn't eat from his blueberry bushes. He had an amazing amount of patience and kindness for children and animals (unless they were tearing up his garden). He was a member of Boyce Church. After church on Sunday, he could often be found at the head of the family table bowing his head for a prayer and passing the biscuits to commence Sunday supper, always expertly prepared by his wife and favorite cook.
Junior is survived by his wife and love of his life, Louise Skinner Underwood, whom he was married to for 62 years. Together they created many beautiful memories raising their family and traveling the country in their retirement. He will also be dearly missed by his children Dan and his wife Bobbi Jo Underwood of Pikeville, NC, John Underwood and his partner Patti Kostelnak of Lowellville, OH and Peggy Brooks and her fiance Jay Davis of East Liverpool, OH. He will always lovingly be known as one half of the most dynamic duo of all time- "Grama Weezie and Pappy Junior" by his 11 grandchildren -- Matt, Aaron, Erica, Zach, Paige, Wes, Josh, Jake, Lauren, Halie and Hunter, his 7 great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter.
Junior's wishes were to not have any services as he was a man that didn't like a fuss about anything. His remains will be returned to the farm where he grew up.
4/22/22