(1930 - 2020)
Leonard Daniel “Dan” Underwood, age 89, of Blue Ridge, passed away February 9, 2020, in the Brian Center Health and Rehab in Canton, Georgia. He was born July 4, 1930, to the late William C. and Bernice P. Sprayberry Underwood. Dan was a veteran of the United States Army where he proudly served his country during the Korean War. He had attained the rank of Corporal and received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars.
He worked many jobs in his lifetime to support his family. He worked for Chastain Funeral Home in Blue Ridge doing funeral home duties and driving an ambulance. He later worked for Akins Funeral Home before his final retirement. He also sold insurance products, owned a gas station, mechanic work and drove a school bus just to name a few. He worked for the Ducktown Banking Company where he served as bank branch manager. He served as a deacon of Temple Baptist Church where he attended for many years. He also served as past Master of Blue Ridge Lodge #67 F&AM and was also past President of the Copperhill Kiwanis.
Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Jean Howard Underwood; brother, William Underwood III; sisters, Francis Ransdell, Beth Brown and Bernice Harper; and one son-in-law, Ronnie Weaver.
He is survived by his son, Tony (Tammy) Underwood of Crestwood, Kentucky; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Weaver of Blue Ridge, Teresa and Patrick Tolan of Waleska, Georgia, Doris Underwood and James McPherson of Marietta, Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Brannon and Kathleen Underwood of Orangeburg, South Carolina; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carmi and Kenneth Wood of Morganton and Anne Underwood Fleeman of Blue Ridge; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from the Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Chapel with the Rev. Harold Willis, the Rev. Bradley Elliott and Dr. Roger Beck officiating. Music was by Greg Norton, Ashley Whealton, Tara Mudd and Pamela Trusty. Interment followed in the Copper Ridge Memory Gardens with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Kevin Brown, David Underwood, Nick Tolan, Dylan Underwood, Major Alexander Whealton and John McClure. Honorary pallbearers were Roy Hughes, Walter Taylor, Luke Strobel, Jacob Strobel and Josh Strobel.
Military Honors were provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritans at P.O. Box 1865, Blue Ridge. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.