John Louis Underwood

John was born to John Walter Underwood (Centralia WA) and Florence Eloise (nee Cook, Aberdeen WA) on 07-07-1932 in the old St. Peters Hospital in Olympia Washington. Followed a couple years later by sister Sharon Lee. He attended South Bay Grade School, Washington Middle School and graduated from Olympia High School in 1950. John was diagnosed unexpectedly with stage 4 sarcoma cancer in August of 2021 and life was never the same again as he slowly lost his mobility, but never his sense of humor, his ability to still enjoy bridge, his appetite for a good meal or a dinner out! He passed away on his own terms with his wife by his side on 02-01-2022.

Around age 10, John was involved in Y-Camp on Mt. St. Helen’s and was introduced to backpacking and went off the first time with a Trapper Nelson backpack. This became an annual event and he eventually became a camp counselor.

After his 1950 graduation from Olympia High School, John attended St. Martin’s College for 2 years and then University of Washington for 2 years graduating in 1954 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation he was drafted into the US Army and was transferred to Ft. Belvoir where he taught Surveying during the Korean Conflict. After his service in the Army he went back to the University of Washington to complete his Masters in Engineering. While working at EPA, John went to Stanford to complete his final Engineer Degree and worked as a Water Quality Engineer.

During his first two years of college, John worked as part of a survey crew on the Seward to Anchorage Highway. His second month on the job he was working in Juneau where he says it rained the entire month. This was mentioned again when he and his wife Fay cruised to Alaska, stopped in Juneau where it apparently was still raining! However, his summer jobs allowed him to pay for his entire 4 years of college and master’s degree debt free.

After college John went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation in 1957. He worked for the Bureau as a hydraulic and civil engineer in Boise ID, and Spokane WA. In 1966 he moved to Portland OR to work for the Federal Water Quality Administration (FWQA). In 1970 FWQA became part of the Environmental Protection Agency and John moved with EPA to Seattle the following year. He retired from the EPA in 1987.

John married Sharon Todd (Toddie) in 1954 and they had 4 children (Eric, Jay, Laura & Blair). After 14 years of marriage they divorced. While John lived in Idaho, and because he enjoyed the outdoors, he bow & arrow hunted deer, but said he only ever bagged one. With his best friend during these years, Harold Geren (passed in 1997) they did everything together, skiing, hunting, golfing and socializing and worked together at EPA. Harold was still in his thoughts until John passed.

In 1972 John married a 2nd time for 23 years to Susan Moisio and they had two sons, Brian (1975) and Grant (1976). During his time with Susan, John enjoyed backpacking trips into the high country for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman and lifetime conservationist and especially loved working in his garden.

After his 2nd divorce, John moved back to Olympia, where at his 45th high school reunion, he hooked up with his old school friend Lloyd (Mac) McAferty (who was just 3 days older). Ironically both had relocated after retirement within a couple miles from where they both grew up in South Bay. They renewed their old friendship and became golf partners for over 20 years until Mac moved to Boise to be closer to family. Mac passed away in 2018 which saddened John immensely. They both played on just about every golf course in Washington and Oregon and played in several tournaments usually earning enough to recover their entry fees.

When he purchased his house in South Bay, John began planting several apple trees, plum trees and dozens of Marion berry plants, blueberry bushes and raspberry plants. He could never pass by a nursery without purchasing something. After a while it was a challenge to figure out where to put everything, so temporary holding beds, became permanent landscaping. John loved his garden and worked in it almost every day. When either Mac or John needed help with something they were there for each other, or when one or the other called to go out and ‘shoot a few balls’, they dropped everything and went golfing.

In 1997, John met his final life partner and wife Fay Bronson at a dance. They became dancing partners and went to country/western dances almost every week. They started learning bridge in 2000 where they made close friends with several couples who played bridge and traveled with them over the years. John was very proud at achieving Silver Life Master status in 2019. John and Fay enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, golfing, traveling to several countries in Europe, Caribbean, Thailand, China, South America, Canada, Alaska and more. They cruised thru the entire Panama Canal 3 times. After Fay’s last retirement in 2010, they traveled an average of 4+ months or more a year to various places. John even had the opportunity to swim with the dolphins and stingrays. Fay got John interested in cruising and he went on 20+ cruises with her and other friends to several parts of the world. He taught Fay how to golf and they traveled on 2-3 golf vacations a year. New Year’s Eve was never to be missed and always enjoyed going somewhere with friends in complete formal attire and tuxedos! Even celebrated it in 2021!

Additionally, John was an avid reader, loved his dark chocolate and buying plants for his garden. He never passed any of these stores without making a purchase or two.

His current wife and 2nd wife had many combined family gatherings and even a couple blended family vacations together. What a wonderful gift that was.

John is survived by his wife Fay, his sister Sharon Lee Linke, 2nd wife Susan Underwood, sons Grant Underwood (wife Vennessa) and 4 grandchildren, Ananda, Bodhi, Jayden and baby Ryder. He has 3 step children, Judith Robles, (granddaughters Kayli and Aliya), Bret Bronson wife Terressa, (grandchildren Tessa and Riley), Brian Bronson, wife Francella (grandchildren Aleana, Sydney, Kenadee and Brailee.) He is also survived by his son Eric Underwood and daughter Laura King (Portland Oregon and two grandsons).

He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Brian Underwood-Seattle, Blair Underwood and Jay Underwood (Portland).

Per John’s wishes there will be no memorial service but a small gathering of close family and friends will be announced sometime this summer.