Jerald Underwood

Jerald Murrie Underwood, former Dean and History Instructor at Southwest Texas Junior College, died March 2, 2013 at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. He was born in Stratford, Oklahoma on July 28, 1931. He attended college at East Central State University in Ada, OK. After graduating college, he signed a professional minor league baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians organization as a pitcher. He served in the United States Army from 19531955 and then returned to professional baseball. He attended the Graduate School of the University of Houston after his minor league baseball career, becoming certified as a High School Principal. He served as the High School Principal in Columbus, TX and Cameron, TX before becoming the Dean of Instruction for SWTJC in 1962. He held that title as well as Dean of the College and Dean of Community Services during his 35year community college career, retiring in 1997.

He was active in the Uvalde community for many years, serving as a Little League baseball coach and working through Uvalde service organizations and the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce.

A lifelong student of history, he coauthored Vaqueros, Cowboys, and Buckaroos with Lawrence Clayton and Jim Hoy. The authors describe and explain the regional qualities, characteristics, and techniques of cattle herders across the United States. The University of Texas Press published the book in 2001.

He is survived by son Blake Underwood of Portland, Oregon and his wife, Karen and son Mark Underwood of Uvalde and his wife, Diane. Grandchildren are Jeanette Underwood of Waxahachie, TX Jeremy Underwood of Fort Worth, TX Aaron Underwood of Huntsville, TX Jacob Underwood, Dean Underwood, and Haley Underwood, all of Portland, OR.

He is also survived by two brothers, Al Underwood of Oklahoma City and his wife, Jan Dean Underwood of Oklahoma City and his wife Dana, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Jean Underwood nee Eads and his parents, Almon Hope Underwood and Aver Dean Underwood nee Hollingsworth.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the RushingEstesKnowles Chapel with burial to follow in Montell Cemetery. Rev. Tim Farenthold will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dr. John Shudde, Clinton Irby, Blake Underwood, Jacob Underwood, Dean Underwood, and Charles Brown.

The family requests that memorials be given to the charity of the donors choice.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
9:00 Am

Service

Funeral Service

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Montell Cemetery
Hwy 55 North
Uvalde, TX  78801