Raymond Underwood

Raymond Roger Underwood was born May 4, 1930 in his parents' home in Ringsted, Iowa. He died November 6, 2013 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, at the age of 83. Ray was the son of Phil Herbert and Dimple Dot (Dorothy) (Gaylord) Underwood. He was the youngest of five brothers and one sister. Ray graduated from Ringsted High School in 1947 and from Iowa State College in December of 1952 with a degree in Agricultural Education.

Ray married Joan Acelia Bice in June of 1952. To this marriage four children were born. Ray was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1952 and he and Joan moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was a drill instructor during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in January 1955. Ray taught Ag Education in Lake City, Mallard and Spencer, prior to joining Walnut Grove Products Feed Company where he retired in 1993. Following sales positions in Spencer and Emmetsburg, he moved to Atlantic where he was Director of Training and later Director of Sales & Marketing. Ray was a resident of Atlantic for 53 years.

Ray was an avid fisherman, gardener, golfer, hunter and he loved to RV and travel. Ray could often be seen driving his 1944 John Deere A tractor around Atlantic or in parades or tractor rides. He devoted countless hours to community service in Lions Club, Rotary Club, and served eight years on the Atlantic School board. He was a long time member of Methodist Men, a delegate to the Methodist Annual Conference, and participated in many activities at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

Ray was proud of his family's strong connections with and dedication to Iowa State University and he was an enthusiastic Cyclone fan. Ray, Joan, and their four children all graduated from Iowa State University.

Ray is survived by his four children, Mark (Diana) of Sioux City, Judy (Michael) Maubach of Webster City, Roger (Connie) of Ames, and Jeff (Lori) of Muscatine; grandchildren, Jacob, Andrew Hale, Aaron, Rachel, Jenna (Justin) Lain, Michelle (Chris) Rupp, Lisa Maubach, John Maubach, Andrew, William, Macy and great-grandchild, Tucker Lain. He is also survived by his brother, Chuck Underwood and sisters-in-law Jacque Underwood, Jean Wilkins and Ruth (Robert) Arnold; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan: his parents; a sister, Dorothy Underwood; three brothers, William, Max, and Herb Underwood, brothers-in-law, Wayne Manson, Cliff Wilkins, sisters-in-law, Virginia Manson and Edith Underwood and Charlotte Underwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Atlantic Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund or Atlantic First United Methodist Endowment Fund.

Visitation with family will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 10, 2013, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 11, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

A private family burial will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery.