George Adrin Underwood's Obituary
George passed away peacefully at home, with his wife Joyce by his side, in St. Helena, California on December 1, 2023, at the age of ninety-seven. His death has caused deep sadness to his large family and many friends. George was born in the city of Manilla in the Philippines, where his father was stationed in the army. George moved to the United States in 1931, when his father was transferred. His early memories of Fort Lewis and Fort Lawton formed the basis of his strong work ethic and love of this country. George graduated from Richmond Military Academy in Augusta, Georgia in June 1944. He held the Georgia State Record for the 50-yard dash and received scholarships to play football at Georgia Tech and University of Georgia but enlisted in the Marines in lieu of being drafted into the Army. After WW2 ended in 1946, he received an honorable discharge and moved to Tacoma to be with his family. He took courses at Clover Park Vocational School and became certified as an aircraft mechanic.
George had the good fortune of meeting Joyce Bell in the fall of 1946. The friendship that followed evolved into a marriage and a great family life for both of them, George and Joyce were married for seventy-five years.
George spent the next twenty-three years working in the aircraft maintenance field. In 1956 he was fortunate to be stationed at Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda working for the Air Force as a civilian. The family moved back to their home on Spanaway Lake in the spring of 1970. George then decided to accept a position with Prudential Insurance Company as a career change. He enjoyed his job and stayed active until his retirement. George and Joyce have had a great time in their retirement, traveling and visiting with family and friends. They have lived in Napa Valley, California for the last twenty-one years.
The Underwood family experienced a deep sense of loss with the passing of our Father, he was loved and will be greatly missed. George is survived by his wife Joyce Underwood, daughter Julie Husic (Frank), sons George Underwood (Linda), Steve Underwood (Carol), Richard Underwood (Kim), eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial services to be held on December 27th at 11:00am in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home with Grave Site service at 12:30, located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA. Following the services, a reception will be held in the Grado Room at Oakbrook Golf Club located at 8102 Zircon Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA from 1:00 to 4:00.
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