John D. Underwood

John D. Underwood of Denison, Texas, formerly of Piggott, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at the age of 92.

John was born in Piggott in 1932 to John and Marietta Underwood. He attended Hendrix College before joining the Air Force in 1953.

He met his beloved wife, Sandra Ashburn, in 1955 in Denison, Texas while he was stationed at Perrin Airfield. Together they embarked on his military career, which took them across the United States and around the world with assignments in nine states, and Japan and Italy.

In 1968 he served a tour in Vietnam, during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He and Sandra retired to Denison in 1980 but continued to travel the world to places like Hong Kong, Paris, and Morocco.

During his years in Denison, John served on the Denison Zoning Committee and volunteered at Helping Hands. He and Sandra ran a small business building and furnishing doll houses for happy customers around North Texas. He served on the board of the Society of American Miniaturists in several roles and as its president.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra, and by his father, mother, and stepmother, Eleanor (Lacy).

He is survived by two sisters and a brother: Beverly Irby and Peggy Ballard of Piggott, Arkansas, and Gary Underwood ofAustin, Texas. John is also survived by his children: Sydney Underwood and Laura and Kurt Cichowski of Denison, and Cynthia Lyons of Richardson, Texas, and by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

They will all treasure the memories of his gentle nature, keen sense of humor, and his abiding love of his family.