John Edward Underwood, Sr.

John Edward Underwood, Sr. age 88, of Nicholson, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

He was born on July 27, 1926, in Rossville, Georgia, where he attended Central High School and became a member of McFarland Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Edward Underwood and Maude Davis Underwood; by his son, Dennis Carr Underwood and daughter-in-law Judith; and by his brother and sister-in-law, Fred & Mydoline Underwood.

John is survived by his beloved Valda Bairos; son, John E. Underwood, Jr. and his wife, Janice of Antioch, California; by two daughters, Diana Underwood O'Hara and her husband, Dennis, of San Lorenzo, California; and Cheryl Underwood Carzoli and her husband, Michael, of Livermore, California. He has eleven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, three nieces and many cousins.

John Underwood enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 15 and was assigned to sea duty on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. John's service in the Navy as an enlisted man and as a survivor of the Battle of Midway was recounted in Jeff Nesmith's 1999 book, "No Higher Honor". As an Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class, he was awarded the American Defense medal, the Asiatic Pacific (Twelve Stars) medal, the American Campaign medal and the World War II Victory medal.

After being honorably discharged on July 25, 1947, John made his home in the bay area near San Francisco, California, where he became a firefighter with the Ashland Fire Department. After several years he transferred to the San Leandro Fire Department where he quickly rose to the rank of Captain. After retirement in 1983, he and Val built a home in Williston, Florida, where he was active in the Presbyterian Church and several other social organizations. After selling their small ranch in 2004, they decided to build their retirement home on the lake in Nicholson's Staghorn Plantation.

John enjoyed traveling and music. Whether it was water skiing on Lake Berryessa, hunting in Alaska or the Baja, he loved outdoor activities. He was a member of the Coral Sea Veterans and enjoined their annual reunions that were held throughout the United States. John was a caring and reliable friend to many.

Funeral arrangements are being managed by Little Ward Funeral Home, 115 State Street, Commerce, GA 30529. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, September 13 from 3:00 p.m.