Doyle Wayne Underwood's Obituary
Doyle Wayne Underwood, 83, of Fate, Texas, passed away on February 14th, 2025. He was born in
Timpson, Texas, August 6, 1941.
Survived by his wife, JoAnn Underwood; daughter, Melissa Willis (Troy) and son, Russell Underwood
(Laura); grandchildren, Jacob Arie (Lauren), Britney Arie, Hunter Underwood, Alexis Underwood,
Madison Underwood, Matthew Willis (Bethany), Laura Beltran and Ryan Willis (Justine); great
granddaughters, Emma Beltran and Kodi Willis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, George Mano and Anna Estelle Cook Underwood; brothers, Herman
Ray Underwood and Gary Lynn Underwood; sister, Patricia Ann Hillard.
During his childhood, he grew up learning the value of a strong work ethic. He started out mowing
yards, then worked at a drug store soda fountain, a Safeway grocery store, and a record shop. He
graduated high school and went to work in a plastic manufacturing facility for three years before being
drafted into the Army. He served in the war in Vietnam as a medic for two years.
After returning from the war, he met and married his adored wife. He worked for John Hancock
Insurance for ten years; during this time his two children were born. He then became an agent with
Farmers Insurance, earning numerous awards until his retirement 35 years later.
He loved to fish and camp with his wife and children at Cedar Creek Lake. After retirement, while living
in Malakoff, by Cedar Creek, he was known for his Fourth of July fish fries, hosting up to 50 family and
friends from Dallas and the Cedar Creek Lake area.
During retirement, he continued his life-long love of playing dominos with friends and family; he even
passed on his love of the game to his grandchildren. He also passed down his love of ice cream, telling
his grandchildren that “there is always room for ice cream, because it just fills in the cracks”. If he
wasn’t playing dominos or fishing, you could find him in his recliner with a cup of coffee, watching an
old western with his dog, Lucky. If you don’t believe it, he kept a list of all of the movies he watched.
He liked traveling with family to many different places, comprising more than 20 states, and Mexico
and Canada. He had a special fondness for visiting Branson, Missouri. With its strong emphasis on
family, faith, and patriotism, Branson reflected the important things in Doyle’s life. He delighted in
taking family and friends, acting as tour guide, and introducing them to the area.
Doyle wrote, “Don’t cry for me because | have lived the best life a man could possibly live. | have had
56 years with the love of my life. We raised two amazing children, who have blessed me with five
wonderful grandchildren.”
And with that, let us remember and celebrate Doyle’s life.
What’s your fondest memory of Doyle?
What’s a lesson you learned from Doyle?
Share a story where Doyle's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Doyle you’ll never forget.
How did Doyle make you smile?