George Underhill Jr.'s Obituary
George Underhill, Jr., son of George Ebert and Gladys Caughman Underhill, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2021, following a long life devoted to the pursuit of education and service to his country.
George was born on June 3, 1932, in Winslow, Arkansas. Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 42 years, Frances Underhill; son George Michael and his wife Linda, of North Richland Hills, Texas; daughter Leslie Ann Scates, of West Fork, Arkansas; sisters Maxine Mulanax of Springdale, Arkansas, and Helen Strode of Winslow, Arkansas; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
When George was nine years old, his family moved to Colorado for a short time before returning to Springdale. George graduated from Springdale High School as the salutatorian in 1950. He attended the University of Arkansas where he joined the ROTC program. He received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Arkansas and received his Commission into the Air Force in 1955. Two years later, George married Peggy Yancy. Together they had three children, Jay Patrick, George Michael, and Leslie Anne.
George continued his education and made a career of his service in the Air Force. He received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering while in the military. He also worked on the fastest airplane in the world at the time, the SR-71 (Blackbird) Mach 3. During the Vietnam War, George and his flight crew participated in air raids abroad. His marriage with Peggy Yancey ended in 1976, and he retired after 21 years of Air Force service as a Lieutenant Colonel.
George started a new chapter when he returned to Springdale with his three children following his military service. In 1978, he married Frances Camp Underhill, and he returned to the University of Arkansas to get his Ph.D. in Management. Soon after, he began his teaching career at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he became a tenured professor.
George eventually retired from teaching, which allowed him to volunteer for several years at the Jones Center in Springdale. He also acted as a big brother to several young men with no male role models in their lives. George was a longstanding member of First United Methodist Church in Springdale, serving on numerous committees and as an usher.
Those preceding George in death include his first wife Peggy Yancey; son Jay Patrick; step-son Warren Camp, Jr.; step-daughter Jane Camp Pianalto; brother Rex Underhill; half-sister Charlene Royal; sister Lucille Nolan; and his mother and father.
A private family service will be held with burial to follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Springdale.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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