Dan Underwood
July 13, 1927-March 20, 2025
Danny Underwood was born George Daniel Underwood July 13, 1927 to George Harrison Underwood, a WWI veteran and Lena Bouton Underwood, an early local photographer. A true Roxbury native Dan’s family, the Underwoods and the Boutons, were early settlers in this town. He grew up on his Uncle Andy and Aunt Ethel Underwood’s farm adjacent to the historic OS Baptist Yellow Church just outside of the village, attending the nearby one room school until 8th grade. He then was a 1945 graduate of Roxbury High School. Dan married his sweetheart “Betty”, Elizabeth Kohler Underwood and had three children: David, John and Mary. During his lifetime he worked as a blasting foreman in the construction of the Pepacton Reservoir Aqueduct tunnels, had a painting and carpentry business and retired after 30 years as head of maintenance from Mountainside Farms in 1991.
Dan made community service a commitment. He was an active volunteer fireman and fire commissioner, on the board of the Roxbury Library, Boy Scout Headmaster, OS Baptist Yellow Church and Yellow Church Cemetery trustee, Town Clock caretaker with town historian Anthony Liberatore and helped found and run the Roxbury Food Pantry for 17 years. Dan was an active member, lay leader and trustee of the Roxbury Methodist Church. He lived his faith as a neighbor and a friend, anyone who needed a hand Danny was cheerfully there to help.
Dan now joins his beloved late wife Betty leaving a hole in the hearts of his family: son David (Karen) Underwood of Roxbury, son John (Kathy) Underwood of South Portland, daughter Mary Underwood (Ray Weber) of Kerhonkson, grandson Andrew(Morgan) Underwood, granddaughters; Laura (Matthew) Davidson, Allison Underwood(Dan Erwin), Jill(Alex) Riehl and Sarah Underwood. Great grandchildren were his pride and joy: Elizabeth and Oliver Underwood, Milo Riehl, Lena Erwin, Julian Davidson and coming soon Lena’s sister and Julian’s sister, Violet!
Danny Underwood will be missed by all and remembered fondly.
Funeral services are to be held at the Roxbury Methodist Church Friday, March 28 at 11:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life reception at 1:00 p.m. at the Gould Church Carriage house.
*In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Roxbury Food Pantry or the Roxbury Fire and Ambulance.