John L. Underwood, Sr.
(November 13, 1942 - January 23, 2013)

John L. Underwood, Sr., 70, of Huntington, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at his home after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Central United Methodist Church on Jefferson Avenue, Huntington by the Rev. Ford Price. Interment will follow in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. John was born November 13, 1942 in Huntington, WV. Preceding him in death was his father, Lyle Underwood and step-father, William Tyler McColm and a granddaughter, Vanessa Forbing. He is survived by his mother, Martha Anne Patterson Underwood McColm; his loving wife of 40 years, Donna; loving children, John Jr. and wife Angie, Mark Higinbotham and wife Jennifer, Mike Higinbotham, Marcia Huffman and husband Adam. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and by his faithful German Shepherd, "Ladi" He was a Marshall University ROTC graduate and a U.S. Army veteran and served in Vietnam. He graduated with a B.B.A. degree from Marshall University and two degrees from Ohio University. An MBA in Organization Behavior and MBA in Sports Administration. Hewas also a graduate of the University of Michigan Human Resource  Executive Course. He was an avid fan and supporter of Marshall University and served his school in many ways. He was Chairman of the Marshall University Real Estate Foundation Board of Directors and member of the Marshall Foundation Board of Directors; past Chairman of the Marshall University Locker Room Club Executive Committee; past member of the Marshall University Alumni Association Board of Directors and a member of the Central United Methodist Church. He retired from a division of the Mead Corporation as Vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations with over 20 years of service. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested donations be made to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington, Marshall University Foundation, or Marshall University Vision Campaign. The family would like to thank Doctor Kevin Yingling and the medical staff at University Physicians Medical Center; Doctor Kumar, the oncology nursing staff and the lab technicians at the V.A. Medical Center; Doctor Sehgal, medical and nursing staff at the Joan C. Edwards Cancer Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital; the oncology doctors and staff at UAMS Myeloma Institute in Little Rock, AR. With their kind and compassionate care John lived a number of years beyond the normal expectations of someone with this disease. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 25th at Klingel Carpenter Mortuary, Huntington, WV .