Reginald "Reg" Martin Underwood, age 90, of Henderson, Nevada passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023. He came into the world as the only child of Edgar and Viola Underwood on August 29, 1933, in Hanford, California. He and his mother, Viola, moved to Lansing, Michigan after her marriage to Edgar dissolved.
Reg’s childhood was spent mostly in Lansing where he graduated from high school and spent a brief time at Michigan State University prior to joining the United States Air Force in 1954. While in the Air Force, Reg was stationed on the island of Oahu for three years, which was a period of his life that he often reflected on fondly.
When Reg returned to Michigan, he met the lovely Barbara Macklin while skiing one day on Boyne Mountain, and they married in 1961. Barbara and Reg had three children together: Reginald Martin Underwood, Jr., Edgar (Eddie) Earl Underwood, and Lisa Carol Underwood. Although Barbara and Reg divorced in the early 70’s, they remained lifelong friends.
In 1973, Major Underwood, a proud navigator, retired from the U.S. Air Force, and shortly after, was hired by the United States Postal Service. During this time, he and his wife Joan met at the home of their mutual friends, Margie and John. Even though the circumstances of their meeting were not ideal, as Joan’s beloved dog had just died that very day; Reg, with his warm, infamous sense of humor tried to comfort her and managed to eventually win Joan’s heart and her hand in marriage on May 15, 1975.
Upon their marriage, Reg became stepfather to Joan’s two sons: David and Mark Fernandes. Together, between 1976 and 1977, Reg and Joan had two homes built; one in Folsom, California, and their “cabin” at Donner Lake in Truckee, California. The family enjoyed creating many treasured memories including fishing and playing at the lake and, later, hosting some of their children’s wedding receptions.
After Reg and Joan both retired, they decided to pull up stakes and make a bold move to Henderson, Nevada where Reg could golf to his heart content in the warm sunshine, and they could enjoy the endless variety of entertainment options in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Reg LOVED to golf and did so for as long as his body allowed him to, making friends on every course he played. He adored people of all ages and especially enjoyed helping others in need and making them laugh. This love he fulfilled by performing with the MacDonald Ranch Variety Club for many years and by visiting sick and infirmed children as the Shriner clown, Putt-Putt. He was a proud member of both the Masons and the Shriners.
Reg also had a passion for traveling the world, especially on cruise ships, loved spending time with his family and friends, and enjoyed and appreciated all types of performance art from music to ballet.
Although Reg is now gone from our sight and in his heavenly Father’s arms, his contagious sense of humor, warm laughter and smile, and his generous and loving spirit will forever be imprinted on our hearts. Aloha and a hui ho (until we meet again), Reg! We love you and will miss you so very much.
Reg is survived by his wife, Joan Underwood; his children: Reggie Martin Underwood, Jr. and his wife Linda, Edgar "Eddie" Earl Underwood and his wife Shannon, and Lisa Carol Blackwell and her husband Bob, and Mark Fernandes; grandchildren: Amanda Kwok, Sabrina Lim, Jacob and Ethan Blackwell, David Jr. "D.J.", and Elijah Fernandes. He was Preceded in death by his son, David Fernandes.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Henderson Masonic Temple at Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge 480 Greenway Rd, Henderson, NV 89015. Major Reginald M. Underwood Sr. will be laid to rest privately with full military honors at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Underwood family.
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