James Underwood

Visitation:
Thursday, April 12, 2007
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Wayne Boze Funeral Home
1826 W. Hwy. 287 Business
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Friday, April 13, 2007
10:00 AM
First United Methodist Church
Waxahachie, TX 75165

James F. Underwood

James Forrestor Underwood, 87, a native of Ellis County, passed away peacefully April 10, 2007 at Creekside Care Center in Plano, Texas. James was born in the Boz Community in 1919. His parents were the late James Bartley (Bart) Underwood and Dellie Carolina Underwood.

James was educated in Ellis County schools and attended Droughs Business College in Dallas. James married his childhood sweetheart, Billie Louise Baird, June 3, 1942. They lived in San Diego, California where James was employed with Ruhr Aircraft Corporation. They lived in California for nine years and returned to Waxahachie in 1950 where he went into the farming and ranching business with his father and two brothers Robert and JB Underwood. James remained in the farming and ranching business for 47 years until his retirement in 1997.

In addition to his farming career, James was involved in many church and civic activities. Growing up in the Bethel Methodist Church, he became a member of the Administrative Board and served as the Board's President. He also served as the church's Sunday School Superintendent for a number of years. Upon transferring his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Waxahachie, he served on the Administrative Board and was Vice-President of the Fidelis Sunday School Class. James was a Mason for fifty years and a member of the 32 degree Masonary and a Shriner. He served several years on the Advisory Board for US Congressman Joe Barton. He was one of the organizers for the first Co-Op Grain Elevator and Storages in Ellis County and served as the Board of Director's President. He was a Charter Member of the Ellis County Sheriff's Posse and was the President of the Ellis County Livestock Association. He was elected to the Board of Directors for Waxahachie Bank and Trust and served until the bank was sold to Comerica.

James was preceded in death by his parents, previously listed, and one brother Robert Underwood and two sisters Lois Curry and Ruby Cockerham. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Billie Underwood and daughters Stacy Underwood Knightstep and husband Don of Plano and granddaughter Kim Knightstep Monk and her husband David, and great grandsons, Devin and Gavin Monk of Dallas; daughter Deena Louise Underwood Murdoch and her husband Al of Mexico and granddaughter Tiffany Elaine Wilmer and husband Clayton of Dallas, and son Kyle Lenn Underwood and wife Lori and grandchildren Dane, Kristy Morton and husband Chris and David of Roscoe, IL; brother J. B. Underwood, Jr. and his wife Wilma of Waxahachie and their children Brad, Bart and Sally and families; sister Oleta Dial-Bridges and niece Valera Abright and husband David; nephews Dennis Cockerham and families, and Jo Bob and Jim Edd Underwood and their families.

James Underwood lived a long and fruitful life. The family extends their appreciation for all the
Life long friendships, these friendships have been a treasured blessing.

Funeral services will be at the First United Methodist Church, Friday, April 13, 2007 at 10 AM with Reverend Michael Patison officiating. Family visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home, Waxahachie. Pallbearers will be Leland Calvert, John B. Sims, Tommy Winn, David Calvert, Randy Calvert, and Buddy Banks. Honorary Pallbearers will be Horace Bratcher, James Lewis, Melvin Loveless, John Bob Maxwell, Charles "Chili" Forbes, and Wayne McCollum. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Burial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wayne Boze Funeral Home.
www.waynebozefuneralhome.com