Raymond "Ray" Underwood

Raymond (Ray) Underwood, 84, of Churchville and formerly of Waynesboro, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 19, 2023.  He is survived by his wife, of 24 years, Mary Alice (Terrell) Underwood.

Ray was born June 29, 1938 in Suffield, Connecticut.  He was the son of Chester and Madeline (Bedore) Underwood. Also preceding him, was a brother, Richard, a brother Jack and a sister, Joy.

Surviving him, beside his wife, is a sister, Jeane of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and his children, Kathy Pickett (Scott), Gary Underwood, Jack Underwood (Alisa), Frank Via (Linda) and Scott Via (Lisa): sisters-in-law, Ruby Estes and Martha Cox; grandchildren, Susan Wyant, Travis Wyant, Holly Jendrey, Nicole Wyant, Sarah Williams, Micah Wyant, Eric Underwood, Kimberly Ott, Jason Underwood, Justin Underwood, Jacob Underwood, Jacquelyn Underwood, Sabrina Phelps, Josh Via, Dorothy Via and Kayla Via; 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

At 17 years old and 3 years of high school and living on a dairy farm all his life, he no longer wanted to be around the cows he wanted to see the world, he joined the Navy in August of 1956.  There he finished his education. He seved aboard three different aircraft carriers, travel to Japan two times, Cuba, Australia, Hawaii and many other places.  He was a proud man for having served his country for three years.

When he got out of the Navy he married Carole Crawford (deceased), settled in Lynchburg and raised his children. Later they moved to Waynesboro where they attended Lyndhurst Methodist Church and later became a member of Forest Chapel. Ray taught Sunday School, sang in the Choir and took on other responsibilities at the church. He was instrumental in the building of the addition of the church.  At the present he was a member of Clearview Church.

Ray was employed for a time with J. S. Mathers Construction, then Harmon Construction as a salesman of pre-engineered buildings. He retired in 1997.

Ray loved watching his two favorite teams on TV – Boston Red Sox baseball and New England Patriots football.  He loved the outdoors cutting wood with his long time friend, Bob Wirt.

His favorite thing in hunting season was hunting with the boys at Mac’s Cabin along with Mr. Mac, Bob and other friends for 2-3 days and nights. He hunted and fished every chance he had.  As of late he had several days of fishing with granddaughter, Nikki and Haas.  He didn’t just fish, he caught fish enough for dinner – he never got tired of eating trout!

In summer he always had a nice garden; he liked to watch things grow.

Ray was a good bowler and horse-shoe player; he coached and played softball.

He recently went to up-state New York to spend Thanksgiving with family. He probably looked for deer all the way – his pastime. Kathy and Scott took him for rides to find some he could watch since he hasn’t been able to hunt for some time.

After he and Mary’s marriage, they traveled for a couple of years, from Florida to Maine, visiting family and making new friends along the way.  They stayed at a lot of State Parks and National Forests. They were lucky that they were able to work for one of them.  As they traveled Ray was able to complete some things on his bucket list. #1 was riding along the Mississippi River, see the paddle boats and put his feet in the Mississippi River, which he did (sounds like Huckleberry Finn! Right?).

A couple of days before he passed he asked Mary if she had enough gas in the car to get them back down to Mississippi.  Looking into those brown eyes she couldn’t help but say, “Yes I do.”  They had an amazing 25 years together and a never-ending love for each other.

Hey Honey, Hey Daddy, Hey Paw Paw, you reached the goal line – you won the race.

R. I. P.

A Memorial Service with Military Honors, will be conducted at 12 Noon, Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Forest Chapel Church of the Brethren, 36 Crimora Mine Road, Crimora.

The family will receive friends at the church from 11 am until the hour of the service.

Share memories and condolences at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.

Charlton and Groome Funeral Home is serving the family.

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