December 30, 1918 ~ 1990
Former Enid Mayor dies at his home
The Rev. Jim Underwood, 71, Mayor of Enid from 1985 to 1987, died Wednesday at his home after a period of ill health.
Underwood spearheaded the construction of Meadows Point Apartments and served as president of Enid Council of Churches. He was also president of the Red Cross and a member and chaplain of AMBUCS.
Underwood was born December 30, 1918, in Drummond to George and Frankie Chestnut Underwood and raised in Waukomis. He graduated from Douglas High School at Douglas in 1935. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from Phillips University in 1948 and his master of divinity degree in 1952 from Phillips University Seminary.
During the 1960s, he worked with members of the Black community to eliminate segregation in public dining rooms and motels, and helped organize the CDSA. He was also the first director of Hospice.
On November 27, 1942, he married Edythe Shearer in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
During World War II, he served as an instructor pilot and during the Korean War was at Vance Air Force Base.
Underwood has served as a minister in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. He began his ministry in Enid at Height Boulevard Christian Church in 1962. In 1967, the congregation built the Christian Church of the covenant where he served until his retirement in 1982.
He then served as interim pastor wherever he was needed. His ministry in counseling was important to him. His last pastorate was St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Marshall. He was active at the regional level of the Disciples of Christ.
A Memorial service will be observed at 1 PM Friday at the Christian Church of the Covenant. Dr. Jim Sutherlin will officiate. Arrangements are by Henninger - Allen Funeral Home.
Surviving are his wife; four children, Mary Beth Murray of Claremore, Susan Kirtley of Edmond, John Underwood of Enid and Dee Dee Underwood of Claremore; four brothers and sisters, Shirley Norris of Edmond, Harris Underwood of Waukomis, Frances Mueller of Cocoa, Florida, Dorothy Fry of Weatherford; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one daughter and one brother.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Hospice Circle of Love.