Ray Underwood, 96 died Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance, Ne.
Ray was born on September 26, 1917 to Alex and Lillian (Hunt) Underwood in Alliance, Ne. He was the last surviving sibling and the second youngest of nine children. From an early age Ray showed that he would be an asset because of his work ethic and often told about how he was a hard worker.
He married Irene Vogel September 26, 1938, on his birthday and they shared 56 years of marriage together. To this union a son and twin sons were born. Ray and Irene ranched and farmed 16 miles southwest of Alliance until they decided to move 11 miles outside of Crawford where they enjoyed owning and operating Pine Canyon and Rock Museum. Here they displayed their many treasures of rocks.
Ray married Marie Hill in June of 1996 after the death of Irene in January of 1995. Marie and Ray lived at the Museum by Crawford until 2011 when Marie went to live at a nursing home in Hot Springs, SD.
When Ray told a funny story or heard a funny story his whole body laughed and you couldn’t help but laugh along with him. He lived his life exactly how he wanted to; spending time with his boys in the country, family trips “rock hunting” to places others would never venture, spending hours polishing old rocks into beautiful treasures, and building petrified wood miniature buildings.
His is survived by his wife Marie, his three sons, Ted (Shirley) Underwood, Garry (Jo Ellen) Underwood, Jerry (Connie) Underwood of Alliance, and step-son Richard (Beverly) Hill. Along with eight grandchildren, Lisa (Chad) Hauger, Dana (Aaron) Fintel, Dawn (Nick) Salitros, Kyle Underwood, Kathy Underwood, Jay (Mindy) Underwood, Tom Underwood (fiancé Anna Yant), Crystal (Brian) Buskirk. His great-grandchildren, Whitney and Kellon Hall, Kel Underwood, Christopher and Charlie Salitros, and a great-grandson due in May. Many nieces and nephews also survive him.
His parents, eight siblings, first wife Irene, stepson Alan, and numerous cousins preceded him in death.
Graveside services will be held Monday, March 31 at 11:00 a.m. at the Alliance Cemetery with Jeanie Sedivy officiating. A luncheon will follow at the United Methodist Church in Alliance. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Prairie Haven Hospice, 1118 Flack Avenue, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.