Dr. Gary Paul Underwood, PhD, 1948-2018

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Gary Paul Underwood, PhD announces his passing on Sunday, September 23rd, 2018, at the age of 70 years.  He was born in Gorman, Texas on January 16, 1948 to Billy Charles and Ruth Underwood.  He touched many places in Texas while on his journey through life on earth:  Gorman, Borger, Sweeney, Corsicana, Huntsville, Cypress, Decatur, Chico, Bryan/College Station, Yoakum, Magnolia and Houston.

Gary graduated from Sam Houston State University with his bachelors and masters degrees in 1970 and from Texas A&M University with a doctoral degree in 1991.  He was an Ag Teacher for 15 years; he managed a couple ranches; was an advisor & teaching assistant at college level; and worked his last 25 years at the Harris County Appraisal District.  He loved 4-H & FFA and the students that he advised and the kids he coached in many sports.  Some of Gary's most treasured years were while he was an advisor and teaching assistant at Texas A&M University.  He touched so many lives, always gave you a howdy and had some kind of joke or prank up his sleeve.

Gary has two daughters with Madeline Brown Underwood that were the light of his life: Pam Melvin and husband James and Heather Peoples and husband Surcy Lee Peoples III.  He has three grandchildren who he treasured and loved greatly: Byrkley Husky, Surcy Lee Peoples IV and Dally Rawl Melvin.  He was blessed two months ago with a great granddaughter, Taysom Grey Garza.

Gary was engaged to Connie Dupre and they were to be wed in January 2019.  They loved to travel together and spend time with their kids and grandkids.

Also survived by his sister Kay Underwood and brother Terry Underwood and wife Kathy.  Niece Tamra Potts and husband Tommy, and their two children Jackson and Grayson.  Nephew Brian Autrey and his two children Dakota and Presley.  Nephews Matthew and Andrew Underwood.

Preceded in death by his father and mother, paternal grandparents Charles Temple Underwood and Flossie Sybil Sims Underwood.  Maternal grandparents James Shirley and Gladys Pemberton Shirley.

Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Gary P. Underwood, PhD will be Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 2pm at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd, Houston, TX 77065.  There will be a reception following the celebration from 4-7pm at Moffitt Oaks, 20125 Cedar Lane, Tomball, TX 77377.  The family will receive friends and associates at his home at 8411 Braesview Lane, Houston TX 77071 on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 5-9pm.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Association of Former Students, ATTN: Development, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840 (tx.ag/garyunderwood) or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 98156, Washington, DC 20090-8156 ( www.calfarley.org/waystogive/ ).