Franklyn D. Underwood, 80

Published 10:55 am Thursday, May 30, 2013

Franklyn D. Underwood, 80, (Frankie D.) died May 26, 2013. He was a beloved Child of God, loving husband, dad, poppa, uncle and friend.

Heaven received a wonderful and special angel today. Frank was born Nov. 8, 1932. He never met anyone that wasn’t his friend. He would do anything for anyone anytime. Never was he known to ask for help, but he was always there to pitch in. He was always the behind the scenes person, setting up the chairs, picking up, doing dishes, praying quietly. His walk with God was so awesome. He never raised his voice or showed anger. He treated everyone with respect and dignity. He was a kind and loving husband, a good daddy to his children and loved by his grandchildren. He had the ability and gift to make children smile. He was kind, gentle and patient to everyone. He was a terrific teacher; a special friend who greatly impacted this world in his quiet way. Other fathers looked up to him for his example. His love of God and his fellow man is immeasurable. He never found fault with people or situations, just ways to make life better for others. He had a way of putting others first.

Frank was a 20-year Navy man. He married his wife, raised his children and worked hard after he left the Navy. He was constant in his faith and was a volunteer in his church in a variety of ways. He was a special friend to his mother-in-law. He was a volunteer at St. Joseph’s hospital and loved what he did. He always came home talking about his “girlfriends” and friends and who needed prayer or who ate lunch with him. He was so full of peace that many looked up to him and wanted the kind of peace in life that he had. Nothing disturbed him, nothing upset him. He died the way he lived; without any drama, he just went peacefully amidst the daily activity of his wife, son and grandchildren. We lift up Frank Underwood in prayer and know he will never suffer again. Thank you, Frank, for being an important part in the lives of your family.

Your wife Kathi of 43 years will always love you and love all that you were to her. Your children Trina, her husband Dan; Kris, her husband Brett, Scott and his wife Haley will remember your gentleness in life and try to live up to your example. You were a joy and a blessing to each of your grandchildren. Those by marriage and those by birth: Christy and Daniel, children of Dan as well as Camryn, child of Trina and Dan living in Deer Park. Amber and her husband Payden, Kirstie, Tiffani by marriage and Nick and Melissa by birth children of Kris and Brett living in Goddard Kansas. And, of course, Ariel who was his bright shining “curly murly.” She made him smile and laugh. He was able to meet his last grandchild Daniel “Danno.” These are the grandchildren by Scott and Haley living in the Underwood family home in Houston. Frank was preceded in death by his father and mother Edgar and Myrtle Underwood, his sister Dorothy Underwood Anderson, his brother Thomas Underwood, and his sisters-in-law, Virginia Underwood and Marian Underwood. He was also preceded by his father-in-law, Chuck Hubbell, and sisters-in-law Jane and Nancy Hubbell, as well as Lisa Hubbell Morales and brother-in-law Jerry Morales. They were all waiting for him with open arms to present him to his heavenly father. He is survived by brothers Chet, Bill and Harold and his spouse Jeanette; and his sisters, Barbara Underwood Root, husband Buzz and Darlene Underwood Thomas, husband Bob. On Kathi’s side of the family: her mother, Margie Hubbell (his very good and special friend); brothers Chuck and his spouse Drema, Dave and his spouse Louann, and her brother John; and her sister Laurie and her husband Terry Sellers. On both sides of the family are nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Frankie. God bless you always, all ways.

Visitation will be Sunday 6-9 p.m. at Forest Park with rosary at 7 p.m. lead by Deacon Dan O’Dowd. A funeral Mass will be at St. Jerome’s 8825 Kempwood, Monday, June 3 at 11:30 a.m. celebrated by Father Michael van Cleve. Burial will be at Veteran’s Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jerome’s St. Vincent De Paul Society for the needs of families or Early Childhood Center, Continuing Christian Education, St. Jerome’s Day school or the Life Teen Program as the donor chooses. These organizations are all for the growth and knowledge of God’s love for children.