Leon W. Underwood

He was a native of Piggott, a World War II veteran, a recipient of the Purple Heart and had a storied history as both an athlete and coach.

Underwood was born April 17, 1918, in Piggott to Jimmy and Ethel (Cox) Underwood. He graduated from Piggott High School and prior to World War II attended Southwestern College in Tennessee, where he was a football standout. He also was a member of the Piggott Rambler baseball team.

During World War II, he served on the U.S.S. Helena and was wounded when it sank in the South Pacific.

Following the war, he attended Arkansas State College at Jonesboro, where he played football and baseball and was a member of the track team.

Following graduation he returned to Piggott and was a coach and teacher in the Piggott district from 1947 to 1952. During that time he coached the Mohawk football, basketball and baseball teams along with the track squad. During his time in Piggott his teams were very successful and made a number of post-season appearances.

He later coached football at Charleston, Mo., and West Memphis before taking a job with the state Vocational Rehablitation Office in Forrest City.

He was a member of the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, was an avid fisherman and loved to garden.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; his parents and a baby brother, Jimmy Gene.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Chapman Underwood; a son, Roger Underwood of Mabelvale; daughters, Pam Underwood of Rogers, Paula Fuhrman and husband Eric of Utah; grandson, Alex Shada; five brothers, Ethridge Underwood of Melbourne, Fla., Herschel Underwood of Hardin, Ky., Gerald Underwood of Palm Bay, Fla., Charles Underwood of Piggott and Larry Underwood of Derby, Kans.; three sisters, Mary Schnaak of Waynesville, N.C., along with Jan Lea Mann and Betty Cash of Piggott, and a host of other friends and relatives.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 2, at the Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock with Rev. John Embrey officiating. Burial was in the Little Rock National Cemetery. Pallbearers were Eric Fuhrman, Alex Shada, Jim Mann and Frank Besser.

Memorials may be made to Fayetteville Veterans Home, 1125 North College, Fayetteville, AR 72703.

Those who wish may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.